XBOX Next Gen Rumor and Speculation Thread - Reveal May 21st

[cdj]

More X-Box 720 Rumors (http://www.gamespot.com/news/xbox-720-to-require-internet-connection-6403498)

Additional alleged Xbox 720 details have come to light today. Sources speaking to Edge said the platform will require an Internet connection to function and that a new version of Xbox Live will be an "integral" component of Microsoft's new platform. Though Microsoft is reportedly "absolutely committed" to online functionality for its new machine, games will still be offered in physical form, the sources said.

In addition, the sources said games for the new system will ship with activation codes and "have no value beyond the initial user." This falls in line with a report from last year, which said the Xbox 720 could block used games in some way. Analysts do not believe this is likely.

These games will reportedly be manufactured on 50GB Blu-ray discs, an upgrade from the DVD drive the Xbox 360 currently sports. Sony's PlayStation 3 supports Blu-ray, and it has since it was first launched in 2006. Blu-ray disc capacity is significantly greater than that of DVD.

In addition, the sources said Microsoft will ship a new version of Kinect alongside the Xbox 720. No further information was made available, though a previous report said "Kinect V2" could support four-player full-body tracking and allow gamers to sit down while playing. In addition, this technology is believed to adapt to players' living room, meaning they will not need to move furniture for an optimal experience.

Lastly, Edge's source said the previously rumored Xbox 720's specifications will include an AMD eight-core x64 1.6GHz CPU, a D3D11.x 800 MHz graphics solution, and 8GB of DDR3 RAM. At present, the platform's hard drive capacity is still reportedly up in the air.

An Xbox 360 successor is, of course, still unannounced and Microsoft did not comment on this report. It may not be long before that changes, as the platform holder is rumored to announce the Xbox 720 during an Apple-style media presentation in late March, perhaps in conjunction with the 2013 Game Developers Conference.

[Rudy]

So no backwards capability in new machines, no renting and no selling or buying of used games? They just added a ton of extra costs to this machine for the user making the transition. No thanks next gen. Come see me when you are under $299 and you have a truly great library of games.

[JBHuskers]

So no backwards capability in new machines, no renting and no selling or buying of used games? They just added a ton of extra costs to this machine for the user making the transition. No thanks next gen. Come see me when you are under $299 and you have a truly great library of games.

Xbox 720 could block used games in some way. Analysts do not believe this is likely.

That was from CDJ's post.

[I OU a Beatn]

I don't care about not being able to play used games, but they better not require users to be online at all times just to play games. Nothing annoyed me more than not being able to play Diablo 3 unless I was online, so I'm certainly not going to purchase anything that has such a ludicrous requirement again.

While I'm on the topic of Microsoft, I hope they have some exclusives other than Forza, Halo, Gears, and Call of Duty DLC. If you look at this year's offering, you've got Gears of War Judgment(which isn't even a Gears game but rather some sick breeding of Call of Duty, Halo, and Gears all in one) vs God of War Ascension, The Last of Us, Sly 4, The Show, and Beyond.

Considering the PS4 is going back to a more PC like architecture, the 360 will no longer have better 3rd party multiplatform versions of games, so Microsoft's bare bones exclusive library is really going to be a glaring issue if they don't correct it.

[gschwendt]

Honestly, my PS3 has essentially become an NCAA Football game console. Practically everything else I play on PC. I keep telling myself that I won't jump on the console this year A) because the library will be shallow and B) because I don't know that I'll play it enough to warrant jumping on it early. That said, I told myself that I would wait 6 months on the PS3 but that lasted only a month.

As far as restrictions from consoles allowing you to play rented/used games, I'm hoping that they offer some kind of system that allows you to play any of these games that you don't have an "activation code" for up to a week or so. That way, you could rent games but also take a game over to a friends house. It'd be similar to EA's games allowing you a trial period for online services.

[CLW]

Yeah it will be "interesting" to see how Sony and Microsoft handle these "issues" (used games; online only; etc...). I do not like the concept of having to have an internet connection to play your system especially when Microsoft requires you to pay to play online.

[gschwendt]

Yeah it will be "interesting" to see how Sony and Microsoft handle these "issues" (used games; online only; etc...). I do not like the concept of having to have an internet connection to play your system especially when Microsoft requires you to pay to play online.You can still be "online" with XBL Silver account... you just can't play online multiplayer, etc. I'll be curious if MS decides to go a route similar to PSN+ with their next console... make it worth the money to buy but don't pull features away if you don't buy.

[morsdraconis]

According to the word from some game review website higher ups, everything that is to be known about the two new systems is already known (both systems are "done" hardware wise already).


As for the always online thing, welcome to the new DRM format. It'll be interesting to see how many of your guys that hate the idea do it anyway. Hell, I hate it too, but you gotta get over it. It's happening and unless you don't want to play video games, there's nothing you can do about it.

[oweb26]

You can still be "online" with XBL Silver account... you just can't play online multiplayer, etc. I'll be curious if MS decides to go a route similar to PSN+ with their next console... make it worth the money to buy but don't pull features away if you don't buy.

They will never give give xbox live for free, it makes entirely too much money for them and is the sole reason they have been beating the PS3 online because they have a revenue stream to back it up.

[JBHuskers]

After the anti-used game report for the next XBOX, Gamestop shares dropped 6.8% today.

[I OU a Beatn]

I think that used to be the case, but I have to think people are beginning to wake up to Microsoft's BS.

It is most certainly true that Xbox Live used to be way better than PS Network, however, those days are quickly going by the wayside. Microsoft still invests more in their arcade games, but the vast majority of the games are on both platforms. Sony has a few of their own gems, so in the arcade games area, it's pretty close to a wash.

A lot of people are really in love with Plus, so that's a huge positive for Sony. You can play online, watch Netflix, and everything else without paying a subscription fee. With Microsoft, you can't play online without Live, nor can you even watch Netflix without a Gold subscription, which is really retarded. The only thing Microsoft has over Sony right now is the party ability and how easy it is to send out invites and set up a party. To me, that isn't worth $60 a year, especially compared to something like Plus that actually gives you games to play at no extra cost.

But I tend to agree, I don't think Microsoft is smart enough to realize that they're going to have to change things up to compete with Sony in the upcoming generation. I fully believe they're going to continue charging $60 for the ability to play online, continue focusing on Kinect and the casual market, and continue going after timed exclusive DLC deals. It worked this generation, but I truly don't believe it will the next.

[oweb26]

I think that used to be the case, but I have to think people are beginning to wake up to Microsoft's BS.

It is most certainly true that Xbox Live used to be way better than PS Network, however, those days are quickly going by the wayside. Microsoft still invests more in their arcade games, but the vast majority of the games are on both platforms. Sony has a few of their own gems, so in the arcade games area, it's pretty close to a wash.

A lot of people are really in love with Plus, so that's a huge positive for Sony. You can play online, watch Netflix, and everything else without paying a subscription fee. With Microsoft, you can't play online without Live, nor can you even watch Netflix without a Gold subscription, which is really retarded. The only thing Microsoft has over Sony right now is the party ability and how easy it is to send out invites and set up a party. To me, that isn't worth $60 a year, especially compared to something like Plus that actually gives you games to play at no extra cost.

But I tend to agree, I don't think Microsoft is smart enough to realize that they're going to have to change things up to compete with Sony in the upcoming generation. I fully believe they're going to continue charging $60 for the ability to play online, continue focusing on Kinect and the casual market, and continue going after timed exclusive DLC deals. It worked this generation, but I truly don't believe it will the next.

I agree with every point you make, I was simply implying that because the charged 60.00 was the reason it was better for a span of what 3-4 years, I agree that is not the case now as PSN has come a very long way.

[bdoughty]

After the anti-used game report for the next XBOX, Gamestop shares dropped 6.8% today.

Good, I only buy new games and Gamestop can bite my shinny metal ass. The online only thing is moronic. Just look at the outrage over the new Sim City and requiring an always on connection.

[JBHuskers]

Well with PS+, Sony really upped the ante by giving you FULL RETAIL games for free. I bet in the past few months alone, over a dozen retail games for PS3 and Vita, including Vita's Uncharted, Gravity Rush, Just Cause 2, etc. for FREE. LittleBigPlanet Karting is a fairly new title, PS+ members were able to snag it for $10 just a week after it was a great deal on Best Buy for $20.

If MS offered the same type of game offering ON TOP of Gold, then maybe they could get an advantage.

[Rudy]

Good, I only buy new games and Gamestop can bite my shinny metal ass. The online only thing is moronic. Just look at the outrage over the new Sim City and requiring an always on connection.

Do you keep all the games you buy? Because you can't sell them when you are done anymore. I trade almost all my games or sell them online when I am done. Kiss that goodbye if this ends up happening. Clearly they see this as a way to push digital distribution and cloud services which I do not like.

[JBHuskers]

I've become too much of a hoarder that takes forever to finish a game :D so I don't sell back as much as I collect.

Now if they are requiring an activation code (i.e. the current Online Pass) rather than some on-disc encoding, you could still buy used from Gamefly, and their sales will go through the roof because they provide the unused code with the game you buy from them. That's where I get at least half of my new games, if not more is Gamefly used.

[bdoughty]

Do you keep all the games you buy? Because you can't sell them when you are done anymore. I trade almost all my games or sell them online when I am done. Kiss that goodbye if this ends up happening. Clearly they see this as a way to push digital distribution and cloud services which I do not like.

I have been using the On Demand to get a few games lately. I have also bought plenty of XBLA games so it really does not concern me, since you can't sell them either. I usually gave away my games or donated them to the hospital. I generally get my moneys worth in a game so it really is not an issue for me. I understand others concerns as money is tight and a trade in is a way of turning a couple used games into a new game.

Nothing is set in stone until it comes straight from the mouth of MS.

[CLW]

I wonder how Sony responds to this whole must be online/no used games? On one hand the consumers would "reward" them if they said no used games are fine. That could be a BIG selling point for the ps4 over the 720. On the other hand, the game manufacturers certainly want this b/c they feel they are missing out on $ from the used game purchases. Would game manufacturers "punish" Sony if they didn't follow 720's "lead" on this "issue? I doubt it, b/c the consumers would flock there thus they would be passing up a large chunk of game sales.

IMHO, Sony would be best to NOT follow MS on this issue and try to drive the point home to the consumers in the lead up to launch.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/Ue1sR9tnl4Q

IF this is to be believed sounds like Sony has the early "edge" as preference for the manufacturers. Sony's system is "preferable platform to work on" "OS is less oppressive than MS's next gen solution"

[bdoughty]

Would game manufacturers "punish" Sony if they didn't follow 720's "lead" on this "issue?

We are talking about companies like EA and Activision. Companies that love to punish their customers already. Publishers would find a way.

I can just see it now.

Next Gen COD - Exclusive to Xbox: Multiplayer
Next Gen Madden - Exclusive to Xbox: End Zones

[SmoothPancakes]

Eh, makes no difference to me. Whenever I upgrade, I'll still go Xbox. I rarely ever trade in or sell my games, and when I buy a game, I prefer to get it new, so no used games really isn't that big of a deal to me. As for always online, I already sign into Xbox Live first thing when I get on and stay signed in every time I play. And I've needed a regular internet connection for PC games for a while now, so it is not a big deal at all. I really don't get all the bitching seen all over the internet these days.

[CLW]

We are talking about companies like EA and Activision. Companies that love to punish their customers already. Publishers would find a way.

I can just see it now.

Next Gen COD - Exclusive to Xbox: Multiplayer
Next Gen Madden - Exclusive to Xbox: End Zones

It would be interesting although I suspect if EA/Activision were to pull a move that blatantly obvious they'd just sell very few PS4 games and another publisher would/could come in for and make a game on the PS4 similar to Madden/COD. Hell Sony already makes a pretty nice sports game. I suspect if they REALLY wanted to they have the resources to make a really solid football title as well should the need ever arise.

[I OU a Beatn]

Next Gen COD - Exclusive to Xbox: Multiplayer
Next Gen Madden - Exclusive to Xbox: End Zones

That's pretty much where we're heading. There's nothing more lame than exclusive and timed exclusive DLC. I mean, seriously...if you're going to give one system a time advantage, just make your game exclusive to that console. EA and Activision are by far the two worst ones in this practice.


Eh, makes no difference to me. Whenever I upgrade, I'll still go Xbox. I rarely ever trade in or sell my games, and when I buy a game, I prefer to get it new, so no used games really isn't that big of a deal to me. As for always online, I already sign into Xbox Live first thing when I get on and stay signed in every time I play. And I've needed a regular internet connection for PC games for a while now, so it is not a big deal at all. I really don't get all the bitching seen all over the internet these days.

I still don't like it. I'm connected all the time, too, but what happens if my internet goes down? I can't play my single player games. I don't like that at all. If they want to institute some kind of system that has a one time activation per game and you need to be on the internet to do that activation, that's fine...but I shouldn't be required to be connected all the time.

[bdoughty]

It would be interesting although I suspect if EA/Activision were to pull a move that blatantly obvious they'd just sell very few PS4 games and another publisher would/could come in for and make a game on the PS4 similar to Madden/COD. Hell Sony already makes a pretty nice sports game. I suspect if they REALLY wanted to they have the resources to make a really solid football title as well should the need ever arise.

Technically they could just flip the bird at that specific console and just not make one. EA is no stranger to that game, poor little DREAMCAST and based on what little info is available they might be bypassing a WiiU version of Madden 25.

[cdj]

Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan’s biggest newspapers, has run an interesting story – translated by The Verge -- indicating that the PlayStation 4 will cost over 40,000 Yen, or about $430.

The Verge puts this into context: PS3 cost approximately 60,000 Yen (nearly $650) in Japan when it launched in late 2006, and as we all know very well, it ran an outrageous $599 in the United States at that time.

So is this rumored price point good news? Yes, if it’s true. A 40,000 Yen price point in Japan indicates that PlayStation 4 may launch in the west at around $400, or $200 less than PS3 cost in 2006. However, this is all speculation; we hope to have plenty of hard facts following Sony’s event in New York City on February 20, which IGN will attend.

The newspaper report also indicates, according to The Verge, that the PlayStation 4 will launch in Japan and the US in 2013 (no mention of Europe indicates that the console won’t launch there until 2014) and that the DualShock 4 – or whatever it will be called – is “roughly the same shape” as the DualShock 3 currently used with the PlayStation 3.

We’ve reached out to Sony for official comment on Asahi Shimbun’s story, and will update when we hear back.

Link (http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/07/japanese-newspaper-claims-playstation-4-will-cost-about-400#.URMGcN9avGo.twitter)

[jaymo76]

Count me in as a person who will NOT BE buying a new console on day one. The cost is a factor but I still have bad memories of the move to next gen. I will take a wait and see approach this time.

[Rudy]

I won't be buying a console on day one and I waited over a year to get my PS3. I do have a hard time believing a PS4 would only cost $400. There would be some huge losses if sold at that price. They are still charging $250 for the PS3! The math is fuzzy there. Sony and MS lost a boatload of money the first 3-4 years on these consoles. Overall the console business hasn't made them much money this generation. Sony did win the Blu Ray war but I'm not sure the philosophy of losing $100 on a console at launch is a good idea anymore.

[bdoughty]

Did not buy a 360 at launch, in fact I waited about a year to make the plunge. Will have plenty of time to decide on what next gen console to get. Best part is all of the launch/early released games are much cheaper by that time.

[SmoothPancakes]

I still don't like it. I'm connected all the time, too, but what happens if my internet goes down? I can't play my single player games. I don't like that at all. If they want to institute some kind of system that has a one time activation per game and you need to be on the internet to do that activation, that's fine...but I shouldn't be required to be connected all the time.

Understandable. For me, when my internet goes out, the last thing I'm concerned with is playing my game. I'm busy checking the router and cable modem, trying to figure out why the hell the internet went out. But I completely understand your position and opposition to it.



I won't be buying a console on day one and I waited over a year to get my PS3. I do have a hard time believing a PS4 would only cost $400. There would be some huge losses if sold at that price. They are still charging $250 for the PS3! The math is fuzzy there. Sony and MS lost a boatload of money the first 3-4 years on these consoles. Overall the console business hasn't made them much money this generation. Sony did win the Blu Ray war but I'm not sure the philosophy of losing $100 on a console at launch is a good idea anymore.

Yeah, if they charged only $400 at launch, from the details that have been released thus far, it sounds like Sony would be taking a bath from day one on the PS4 just like they were with the PS3. Would they really do that to themselves for a second straight launch? A second straight console?



Count me in as a person who will NOT BE buying a new console on day one. The cost is a factor but I still have bad memories of the move to next gen. I will take a wait and see approach this time.


Did not buy a 360 at launch, in fact I waited about a year to make the plunge. Will have plenty of time to decide on what next gen console to get. Best part is all of the launch/early released games are much cheaper by that time.

Same here. I didn't even buy my 360 until 2009, so it was cheaper, the fuck-ups and problems had largely been fixed, and I was able to get a load of games right away for cheap prices, as bdoughty said, because they had already been sitting on shelves for years and dropping in value.

Even if the 720 comes out this fall, I only just got my new 360 Slim (to replace my old 360 with the constantly dying disc drive) a year ago. I'm gonna get a hell of a lot more of a year or two of use out of it for the price. Even if it comes out later this year, it's not going to be, at a very minimum, winter 2015, probably not even until sometime 2016 before I look at buying the next-gen Xbox.

[morsdraconis]

Yeah, if they charged only $400 at launch, from the details that have been released thus far, it sounds like Sony would be taking a bath from day one on the PS4 just like they were with the PS3. Would they really do that to themselves for a second straight launch? A second straight console?

The reason why it was a loss for Sony for the PS3 was because of the costs to manufacture the Blu-ray players in the console. With the price of Blu-ray players being substantially lower than they were at the time of the PS3 release, Sony can afford to and will make the price point $349.99 and $399.99 just like Microsoft can and will.

If either company goes above the $399.99 price point, they're asking for failure.

[JBHuskers]

Hell I'm getting a free smart blu ray player for my 10th anniversary with Allstate :up:

[I OU a Beatn]

Sony lost so much this past generation because no one bought it for several months before they finally dropped it to a reasonable price. I mean, you're going to launch at $600 when the competitor launched a year ago and is selling for $400? :D

I realize Sony has the lead over Microsoft world wide, but Microsoft just completely dominates them in America. If Sony wants to buck that trend, they need to price it right, launch first, and have a really nice selection of launch games. They also better beef up their online, because, in case they haven't noticed, Americans love features like Cross Game Chat and Parties so that they can talk to their friends easily.

I think it'll be between $350 and $450 personally. Knowing Sony, you'll get a system with fairly low storage capacity and it'll be $400.

[CLW]

I know nothing yet re: HDD sizes but any guesses as to whether the PS4 HDD will be the same as the PS3 so that if you want to take a larger HDD from your PS3 it will easily convert over to the PS4?

[gschwendt]

I know nothing yet re: HDD sizes but any guesses as to whether the PS4 HDD will be the same as the PS3 so that if you want to take a larger HDD from your PS3 it will easily convert over to the PS4?
I could really see it going either way. On one hand, you have to know that everyone loved the ability to upgrade hard drives, however Sony may also look over and see how much MS made directly on first-party peripherals and want a chunk of that for themselves. If I had to guess though, I'd bet we'd be able to upgrade our HDDs with off-the-shelf hardware.

[I OU a Beatn]

I'd imagine so. I don't see why they would change it around. It just uses a 2.5" laptop hard drive, right? Being able to use any hard drive was probably well received among PS3 owners, so I'd like to think they're smart enough to keep that ability around.

HOWEVER, they pulled the same shit with the Vita that Microsoft did with the 360 hard drives. Instead of just using a standard SD cards, Sony made their own memory tech and charged an arm and a leg for it. The largest size is 32GB and that retails for $100. ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for 32GB! A quick google search and I can get a regular 32GB SD card from Newegg for $21. Microsoft did the same thing with the 360 hard drive. You can only use their model, and they currently charge $130 for 320GB. By comparison, you can easily get a 1TB drive for that price.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/oVRL1W_4WBw

[I OU a Beatn]

Read that earlier and almost threw up. Microsoft, no offense, but that interface only works for touchscreen. Having to maneuver through that thing with a mouse or a controller is not too great, not to mention it's a massive eyesore. So ugly.

[CLW]

I'd imagine so. I don't see why they would change it around. It just uses a 2.5" laptop hard drive, right? Being able to use any hard drive was probably well received among PS3 owners, so I'd like to think they're smart enough to keep that ability around.

HOWEVER, they pulled the same shit with the Vita that Microsoft did with the 360 hard drives. Instead of just using a standard SD cards, Sony made their own memory tech and charged an arm and a leg for it. The largest size is 32GB and that retails for $100. ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for 32GB! A quick google search and I can get a regular 32GB SD card from Newegg for $21. Microsoft did the same thing with the 360 hard drive. You can only use their model, and they currently charge $130 for 320GB. By comparison, you can easily get a 1TB drive for that price.

Yeah it's 50/50 in my mind right now. There is extra $ to be made for sure for those that want/need to upgrade their PS4 later down the line. On the other hand, the convenience factor is also nice for the consumer. Given that Sony most recently did with the Vita we may be SOL. I'll miss you 1TB HDD. :nod:

[CLW]

Interesting discussion re: the whole online only "issue"


http://youtu.be/ia_g7u-6GFY

[morsdraconis]

On the topic of the harddrive sizes, it's entirely determined by the manufacture costs. If they have a large amount of those already in stock or still have access to them cheaply, then they most definitely will keep the same size. If there is any reason for them to change the size of the harddrives in the consoles, it'll be to cut down on the costs of the system.

As for the video above, I completely agree. If it doesn't happen this time, it will with the next consoles. It's the perfect DRM because it's unhackable. It's intelligent to do online only because it pushes the market to have competitive pricing for games to help fill the void of used games.

[bdoughty]

http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/07/gamestop-next-gen-console-sales-will-be-diminished-if-used-games-are-restricted/

LOL, Gamestop amuses me. Console Makers might lose some customers but the only think diminished would be Gamestop.

No more annoying Sales Associates telling you that have it used when you walk up with a new game.
No more opened copies of new games as they would have to fear an employee taking it home playing it and making it unsellable. (I hate when I get a new game that has been opened)

[CLW]

http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/07/gamestop-next-gen-console-sales-will-be-diminished-if-used-games-are-restricted/

LOL, Gamestop amuses me. Console Makers might lose some customers but the only think diminished would be Gamestop.

No more annoying Sales Associates telling you that have it used when you walk up with a new game.
No more opened copies of new games as they would have to fear an employee taking it home playing it and making it unsellable. (I hate when I get a new game that has been opened)

Yeah Gamestop is basically the walking dead. They either die in 2013 or they die in approx. 2020 when the next-next gen goes to complete digital.

[JeffHCross]

Understandable. For me, when my internet goes out, the last thing I'm concerned with is playing my game. I'm busy checking the router and cable modem, trying to figure out why the hell the internet went out. But I completely understand your position and opposition to it.I'm not worried about my Internet going out for minutes, hours, or days ... I'm worried about the occasional burp or flicker (which seems to happen nightly in my current living conditions) that would do more than just kill a multi-player session, it would kill my entire console usage.

If Sony went to an always-online DRM (doesn't affect me at all if M$ does it), then I'd be strongly tempted to build the best computer I could afford and just play EVE Online day in and day out. Though I have plenty of PS3 games to finish too.

[NatureBoy]

Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox to reportedly include Siri-like voice controls

Xbox 360 video game and home entertainment console already supports voice commands thanks to the Kinect controller, but it looks like we may see the company’s next-generation console ship with dramatically improved voice support. The Verge reported on Thursday that Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox refresh will support “wake on voice, natural language controls, and speech-to-text,” citing claims from multiple unnamed sources when reporting the details.

The enhanced voice support will supposedly allow users to speak commands naturally as they do with Siri on Apple (AAPL) devices. Microsoft’s next Xbox is expected to launch ahead of the holidays this year featuring a 1.6GHz eight-core AMD CPU, D3D11.x 800MHz graphics and 8GB of RAM.

http://news.yahoo.com/microsoft-next-gen-xbox-reportedly-siri-voice-controls-205155132.html;_ylt=AiaBNxfjbK94a8WhRvir6vbNt.d_;_ ylu=X3oDMTVvajBjM2RtBGNjb2RlA2dtcHRvcDEwMDBwb29sY2 Z3aWtpdXAEbWl0A0FydGljbGUgTWl4ZWQgTGlzdCBOZXdzIGZv ciBZb3Ugd2l0aCBNb3JlIExpbmsEcGtnAzQ5MzgwMzg1LTE5Zm MtM2M5Zi1hZTI2LWIxNzQwZDllMjYwMARwb3MDMgRzZWMDbmV3 c19mb3JfeW91BHZlcgM0Mjg5N2EzMC03MWVkLTExZTItYmVmNi 1lMTI0NjcwMTg2OTY-;_ylg=X3oDMTQwMmIzcmc4BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRw c3RhaWQDMDM2YWVhODgtZDZhNy0zZmFhLThjMTEtMjlmNWQwMT QyMDJmBHBzdGNhdANlbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50fGFydHMEcHQDc3Rv cnlwYWdlBHRlc3QDaWJfc2t5c2NyYXBlcl9yZWxhdGVk;_ylv= 3

[cdj]

As Sony Computer Entertainment warms up its blue lighting and double-checks its playlist for February 20th, one unnamed SCE official says that the PlayStation 4 will act as more of a home entertainment hub than what we've seen in the past. They added, according to the Nikkei, that the main selling point won't be the rumored eight-core AMD64 CPU or other hardware specs, but how it opens up new styles of play -- something Nintendo is also focusing on. Sony is going to push the new console as a home entertainment "nerve center," with a focus on the hardware's ability to connect and share to mobile devices -- the rival that's pulling gamers away from traditional consoles. Edge had previously mentioned the possibility of a dedicated share button on the next-gen controller, though that remains a product of the rumor mill at the moment. No discussion on any Gaikai-powered cloud gaming just yet, but following its unveiling later this month, the report states that the new PlayStation should launch before the end of the year. A bit of a shame, then, that it's still only February.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/08/sony-ps4-main-selling-point-new-playing-options/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

[I OU a Beatn]

Microsoft and Sony both need to pull their heads of their asses and realize they're developing GAME consoles, not entertainment hubs.

Looks like the story of this current gen is going to continue onto the next. Nintendo does something that really catches on, Microsoft copies it and gets on the success to a degree, and then Sony copies them both and ends up losing a ton of money because the fad has passed. Well, I don't see the Wii U catching on at all, but it's still the same general idea.

[CLW]

Microsoft and Sony both need to pull their heads of their asses and realize they're developing GAME consoles, not entertainment hubs.

Looks like the story of this current gen is going to continue onto the next. Nintendo does something that really catches on, Microsoft copies it and gets on the success to a degree, and then Sony copies them both and ends up losing a ton of money because the fad has passed. Well, I don't see the Wii U catching on at all, but it's still the same general idea.

I disagree. Yes while most here are more "hardcore" MS and Sony are both looking to grab that "casual" gamer and bring him/her in. I also like some of the aspects of the "entertainment" aspects of my PS3 (being able to play/rent/buy movies; use it to play songs on it; etc...). If they "beef" that up while still making a quality gaming console I won't complain.

[I OU a Beatn]

I disagree. Yes while most here are more "hardcore" MS and Sony are both looking to grab that "casual" gamer and bring him/her in. I also like some of the aspects of the "entertainment" aspects of my PS3 (being able to play/rent/buy movies; use it to play songs on it; etc...). If they "beef" that up while still making a quality gaming console I won't complain.

Look at Kinect. It started amazingly well. What's it doing now? Jack squat(which I called as soon as it came out by the way :nod:). The PS Move absolutely never took off so it's doing just as poorly as Kinect is now, except it never had the blazing sales at the beginning like Kinect did.

The Vita is another example. That was Sony's way of trying to get people that game on their phones to buy into their product. I don't think I have to speak on how just bad sales for the Vita have been so far, but when virtually no 3rd party publisher is willing to put their game on your device, you've got trouble.

As for the entertainment hub aspect, that's fine. The only problem is, from what I've seen, once they start going down that avenue, that becomes the focus. Do more people watch movies or play games? Do more people like TV shows or games? How many people like music compared to games? The answer is overwhelmingly in favor of the entertainment aspects, so the allure is to put all your eggs into that basket and focus on that. Microsoft has started doing that the past 2 or 3 years. They've realized that they can rely on 3rd party support, release one major exclusive, and then rely on Live subscriptions that are required to access all the content to bring in the revenue.

It's a strategy that works, but quite frankly stinks for the people that just want the thing to play high quality games.

[morsdraconis]

Microsoft and Sony both need to pull their heads of their asses and realize they're developing GAME consoles, not entertainment hubs.

Looks like the story of this current gen is going to continue onto the next. Nintendo does something that really catches on, Microsoft copies it and gets on the success to a degree, and then Sony copies them both and ends up losing a ton of money because the fad has passed. Well, I don't see the Wii U catching on at all, but it's still the same general idea.

Dude, you need to realize that, for most people, they use their consoles to watch things on their TVs more than they do to play games. For either console to actually be successful, they MUST continue to integrate those things into the consoles.

The days of video game consoles being just about video games is over. Cellphones, tablets, and iPads are cutting into that market QUITE a bit more than most video game companies are willing to admit (just listen to or read anything reporting about it from a business perspective - for instance, Sony MUST make a BIG splash with this coming console or you could actually see them having to pull out of the console market after the upcoming console generation; yes, their revenue stream from the PS3 and Vita is THAT bad).

There's a reason why this last console generation lasted so long (2004 to 2013 - and, no, I don't count the Wii or WiiU in this; they aren't generation gap consoles) compared to older generational gaps (5 years (2000 to 2005) for PS2 to 360 - 5 years (1995 to 2000) for PS1 to PS2) - 6 years (1989 to 1995) for Genesis to PS1 - and 4 years (1985 to 1989) for NES to Genesis). They had to try to get as big of an install base as possible to recoup the initial losses from their respective consoles for this generation (Microsoft lost something like $1 billion for their Xbox 360 heat fuck up and Sony didn't make money off of the PS3 until something in the neighborhood of 2 or 3 years after the launch of the system (Q3 of 2008 if I'm not mistaken)).

[oweb26]

I disagree. Yes while most here are more "hardcore" MS and Sony are both looking to grab that "casual" gamer and bring him/her in. I also like some of the aspects of the "entertainment" aspects of my PS3 (being able to play/rent/buy movies; use it to play songs on it; etc...). If they "beef" that up while still making a quality gaming console I won't complain.


I agree with this only the game publishers care about what the hardcore gamer wants and even they only care to an extent, MS and Sony already have your business they want that casual person who will only buy it if it does something else and that something else is an "entertainment" hub.

Hardcore gamers bitch and complain but you know 90% still buy the stuff they are complaining about game after game. Don't let the internet fool you IOU with people saying they are not buying certain items, these people (developers and Console makers (except Sony apparently)) make money and they are pretty damn good at it.

[morsdraconis]

It's a strategy that works, but quite frankly stinks for the people that just want the thing to play high quality games.

Neither company gives a shit about people that just want to play games on their consoles. Those people aren't making Microsoft and Sony money like the people that pay to use the third party streaming software they have integrated into their systems.

Just like the whole argument about always being connected and the lack of internet for some people in this country - neither company gives a shit about those people because those people aren't making either company the amount of money that is available to be made for someone that's always connected to the internet and thus buying more shit through their consoles.

[morsdraconis]

...Console makers (except Sony apparently)) make money and they are pretty damn good at it.

Sony fails at it because they have an incredibly ass-backwards menu system for their console and, thus, fail at advertising to most console owners that those items are even available to them. Until they do something that makes their menu system flow better and have a more cohesive feeling to it (like Microsoft and Steam have done), they will continue to fail at bringing customers into doing those things on their consoles.

Of course, Sony sucks balls at marketing in general. IOU, the reason why the Vita sucks is because they've done NOTHING in the way of marketing to support it (I've seen one commercial for a Vita game and it was that dumb ass Call of Duty game that came out for it and I'd be willing to bet that they funded the marketing for it instead of Sony). I wouldn't put my game on it either because it's pretty damn obvious that Sony doesn't have a clue in how to market it to actually sell games.

If Sony was smart, they'd make it an integral part of the Playstation (don't be surprised if the next consoles are just called Playstation and Xbox instead of PS4 and Xbox 720 or whatever - the power of singular branding like that is VERY strong) experience with their new console. How exactly they do that? I don't know, but it would be HUGE for them to do that. Even bigger would be for them to market two or three BIG releases for it in the coming year during this February 20th announcement that they have coming up. With all eyes on them because of the anticipation for the new consoles (I could almost not give two shits less and I'll probably still be watching), it'd be the perfect time to market the hell out of the Vita with some big Playstation exclusive releases.

[I OU a Beatn]

Dude, you need to realize that, for most people, they use their consoles to watch things on their TVs more than they do to play games. For either console to actually be successful, they MUST continue to integrate those things into the consoles.


That's fine...doesn't mean they need to focus the majority of their attention on it. I don't necessarily agree with your "most people use their consoles to watch things on TV than play games" statement, especially on the 360. Considering a Gold Subscription is REQUIRED to use any of the video/music apps, I find it a little hard to believe that many people would be retarded enough to pay $60 a year just to use Netflix when they could watch it on their PC, PS3, or other device for just the cost of Netflix.


ardcore gamers bitch and complain but you know 90% still buy the stuff they are complaining about game after game. Don't let the internet fool you IOU with people saying they are not buying certain items, these people (developers and Console makers (except Sony apparently)) make money and they are pretty damn good at it.

I'm not being fooled by other people. Look at recent sales of Kinect. They are God awful. It was a fad, just like every other thing aimed at the casual has been. They'll use it, they'll get tired of it, and they'll go back to their mobile games. Quite frankly, I'm a little shocked Microsoft is supposedly working on Kinect 2.

[I OU a Beatn]

Of course, Sony sucks balls at marketing in general. IOU, the reason why the Vita sucks is because they've done NOTHING in the way of marketing to support it (I've seen one commercial for a Vita game and it was that dumb ass Call of Duty game that came out for it and I'd be willing to bet that they funded the marketing for it instead of Sony). I wouldn't put my game on it either because it's pretty damn obvious that Sony doesn't have a clue in how to market it to actually sell games.


It's partially marketing, and partially a million other things. There's not a single "MUST HAVE" game on the system. No 3rd party support. Too expensive. Memory cards are WAY too expensive. Also, as you said, terrible marketing.

With the Vita, Sony has pretty much done everything wrong. No one knows about it and the few that do know about it, don't care about it because it's too expensive and there are no games.

[morsdraconis]

That's fine...doesn't mean they need to focus the majority of their attention on it. I don't necessarily agree with your "most people use their consoles to watch things on TV than play games" statement, especially on the 360. Considering a Gold Subscription is REQUIRED to use any of the video/music apps, I find it a little hard to believe that many people would be retarded enough to pay $60 a year just to use Netflix when they could watch it on their PC, PS3, or other device for just the cost of Netflix.

See this article from 2011 (http://venturebeat.com/2011/11/07/report-game-consoles-most-popular-device-for-watching-online-content-on-a-tv-screen/) and this specific fact from an analytics service called Strategy Analytics:


The report also found that 65 percent of U.S.-based weekly Xbox 360 users under the age of 25 watch more TV shows and movies online through the console than their desktop or notebook PCs. Strategy Analytics Senior Analyst Jia Wu says these findings indicate significant levels of consumer demand for such services.

“The upcoming Xbox TV launch for the holiday season will demonstrate an expansion of the partnership between the games consoles and the online TV and video industries,” he said. “Games consoles have already become the key media hub in U.S. households.”

While that may not mean that they are playing games less than watching Netflix or Hulu+, they are MOST DEFINITELY, using it for that more than ever before and, as said in the above article as well:


Twelve percent of U.S. households (about 15 million) use gaming consoles to watch content online, which is more than the percentage of households that connect a PC to a TV via HDMI.

More and more, people are using their consoles to watch this stuff on their giant HDTVs instead of watching it via their PC hooked up to just a normal monitor.

While, yes, console owners are more than likely paying for a XBL Gold Subscription to play games online, more than before, they're using their consoles to watch and listen to streaming media more often than ever before. Console makers aren't going to stop doing that when it's nothing but $'s in their future.

Also, the argument of using the PS3 to do things online for free is going to go away after this new console. Seeing how Microsoft is able to support itself from it's Gold subscription profits, Sony would be insane not to do something similar and FORCE people to get PS+ to have access to online content. Even more so if they go with online only connectivity for their consoles. That's money in the bank.

[morsdraconis]

I'm not being fooled by other people. Look at recent sales of Kinect. They are God awful. It was a fad, just like every other thing aimed at the casual has been. They'll use it, they'll get tired of it, and they'll go back to their mobile games. Quite frankly, I'm a little shocked Microsoft is supposedly working on Kinect 2.

Once again, Microsoft is looking at the success of the Wii motion stuff and how much money Nintendo made on their consoles because of the "it's so easy, grandma can play this stuff" factor. Nintendo struck gold with it and has no fuckin' clue how they did it (to the point where they have no fuckin' idea how to capitalize on it further) and Microsoft is trying to take that market share away from them. I guarantee you the amount of money they spend on creating the Kinect is FAR outweighed by the possibility of being THE motion control idea of this generation. Microsoft has to be licking their chops at the utter failure that is the Wii-U controller.

[I OU a Beatn]

While that may not mean that they are playing games less than watching Netflix or Hulu+, they are MOST DEFINITELY, using it for that more than ever before and, as said in the above article as well:

Also, the argument of using the PS3 to do things online for free is going to go away after this new console. Seeing how Microsoft is able to support itself from it's Gold subscription profits, Sony would be insane not to do something similar and FORCE people to get PS+ to have access to online content. Even more so if they go with online only connectivity for their consoles. That's money in the bank.

I don't dispute that one bit. I was saying that I find it hard to believe people knowingly pay for a gold subscription on top of their Netflix JUST to watch Netflix. The vast majority of those gold subscribers are playing games with it. There's also no doubt that more and more people are streaming videos and music. However, that plays right into my argument of "it's a game console, focus on the games." Without that focus on the games, no one in their right mind is going to fork over $60 a year for Live(a nice money maker for Microsoft) just for access to Netflix and Hulu when they can use other devices and just pay the subscription fees for the respective services without an additional fee.

I highly disagree with the 2nd paragraph I quoted. I think Sony's going to use the "hey, our service is FREE" tag line a lot in the upcoming generation. I also think they're going to continue with Plus, perhaps even upgrading it a little. Hell, they might even go with the ads on the interface somewhere and paying for Plus gets rid of those ads. I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet Plus will be a feature and the regular features of PSN will remain free. I know a good many people that only own a PS3 simply because it doesn't require you to pay to play online. I could be wrong, though.


Once again, Microsoft is looking at the success of the Wii motion stuff and how much money Nintendo made on their consoles because of the "it's so easy, grandma can play this stuff" factor. Nintendo struck gold with it and has no fuckin' clue how they did it (to the point where they have no fuckin' idea how to capitalize on it further) and Microsoft is trying to take that market share away from them. I guarantee you the amount of money they spend on creating the Kinect is FAR outweighed by the possibility of being THE motion control idea of this generation. Microsoft has to be licking their chops at the utter failure that is the Wii-U controller.

I know that, but if you look at the recent sales of Kinect, it kind of makes you wonder if people actually want it. I believe that it was a fad that has come, seen it's day, and has started to die. Unless they make VAST improvements to how the thing works(sit down, precise movement recognition, and not having to have a clear area the size of a football field), I don't see people really jumping on board this time around. Of course, rumors are swirling that Kinect v2 is actually IN the Nextbox, so maybe the system will be centered around it this time rather than it just being a peripheral.

[oweb26]

I dont think I have seen so money multi-quoted posts in a row in a very long time.

[morsdraconis]

I dont think I have seen so money multi-quoted posts in a row in a very long time.

Well, for me, I've absorbed a metric ass ton of information on this subject recently because of all the gaming podcasts and websites that I pay attention to all talking about it so, I have a lot to say on the subject. ;)

[SmoothPancakes]

Just to throw in a comment here. While I do play games a majority of the time my 360 is on, I can completely understand if people use it most for their TV and movie viewing. Hell, I use nothing but 360 when it comes to watching Netflix. My 360 is hooked up to my TV by HDMI. My laptop isn't hooked up to it at all. Am I going to watch a movie or TV show on Netflix on my 40 inch TV or on my 19 inch laptop screen? I'm going the TV. Same with other apps that they have added on the 360. I'm gonna go with their uses through my 360 so I can watch/do stuff through my TV instead of having to have a large, bulky, heavy laptop sitting on my lap for long periods of time. I may still play games more often than not when my 360 is on, but there have been a great many times, especially over the last year, where I will go days and weeks without ever playing a single second of a game when my 360 is turned on, instead doing nothing but watching stuff on Netflix or Amazon on Demand or the other movie apps.

[I OU a Beatn]

Just to throw in a comment here. While I do play games a majority of the time my 360 is on, I can completely understand if people use it most for their TV and movie viewing. Hell, I use nothing but 360 when it comes to watching Netflix. My 360 is hooked up to my TV by HDMI. My laptop isn't hooked up to it at all. Am I going to watch a movie or TV show on Netflix on my 40 inch TV or on my 19 inch laptop screen? I'm going the TV. Same with other apps that they have added on the 360. I'm gonna go with their uses through my 360 so I can watch/do stuff through my TV instead of having to have a large, bulky, heavy laptop sitting on my lap for long periods of time. I may still play games more often than not when my 360 is on, but there have been a great many times, especially over the last year, where I will go days and weeks without ever playing a single second of a game when my 360 is turned on, instead doing nothing but watching stuff on Netflix or Amazon on Demand or the other movie apps.

...BUT, if you had zero interest in games, would you pay $60 a year on top of your subscriptions to watch Netflix when you could watch it elsewhere for just subscription cost?

I'm all for Microsoft reaching out and going for the casual market along with the entertainment market, but they had better be wise enough not to abandon the core games. Without the core games, the necessity to pay $60 a year for Live evaporates. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned with Microsoft's vision, especially with ONE core exclusive coming out this year. I realize part of that has to do with a new Xbox coming, but it still makes me wonder.

Another worry for Microsoft should be Sony going back to a PC like architecture this upcoming gen. I'd imagine a lot of people game on 360 because of the usually superior 3rd party games. Madden is better on 360. NCAA is better on 360. Call of Duty is better on 360. Assassin's Creed is better on 360. Virtually every 3rd party game available on both consoles is noticeably better on 360. Obviously, a lot of that has to do with Sony's cell. If they're going back to a more PC like design, you'd have to think the difference between the two would disappear and games would play and look identically on both systems. If there isn't a different between 3rd party titles, it falls to which has better exclusives, more features, and which controller you prefer.

I'd LOVE if Microsoft would be able to find a balance between 2 or 3 major exclusives every year, along with 3rd party titles, and then their entertainment features. They seem to bounce around a lot between which one they want to focus on.

[JeffHCross]

If you don't count time on NCAA, which is the only game I'm playing now, the ONLY thing I'm using my PS3 for is Amazon Instant Video. And I have a good friend that purchased a PS3 solely to use Netflix.

I agree that non-gamers aren't going to pay for a Gold subscription. Hell, I know plenty of gamers that don't pay for one.

[SmoothPancakes]

...BUT, if you had zero interest in games, would you pay $60 a year on top of your subscriptions to watch Netflix when you could watch it elsewhere for just subscription cost?

That's easy. I'd still do it, because even right now I don't pay a single cent for Xbox Live Gold and never have. I get a 12-month Live Gold card each Christmas from my sister (beats getting random things that may or may not end up getting put to use), so since 2008, I haven't paid a cent for Gold. Granted, if I had zero interest in games, I probably wouldn't have a 360 at all (and I probably wouldn't be posting here). But even then, I'd just watch Netflix through my Blu-ray player. So I still wouldn't give a damn in regards to using my laptop to watch Netflix or other stuff.

[CLW]

Interesting chat about the "exclusives" debate:


http://youtu.be/7OQr_SjCZG4

[JeffHCross]

Without listening to the clip: Yes, yes they do.

[bdoughty]

Microsoft has one big sports problem as they head into next gen with baseball. What are they going to do? Do they finally decide to use that High Heat license they bought? Hold their fingers crossed that EA jumps back into console baseball? Hope 2ksports keeps making baseball games?

Decisions, decisions.

[Rudy]

I'm surprised EA hasn't jumped into the MLB license deal but I think part of that reason is they don't have a game engine ready for the PS3 or 360 and may just want to jump into the next gen. They do have a former MLB Show dev Kolbe on their Madden staff and I always assumed he was a guy to keep around for their own baseball game. MVP baseball was very popular and I think it would do very well if they update it properly.

[JeffHCross]

I'm not sure baseball makes enough, personally.

I'm not sure any sport besides football is going to survive through to the PS5 generation.

[bdoughty]

I'm not sure baseball makes enough, personally.

I'm not sure any sport besides football is going to survive through to the PS5 generation.


Chicken Little thought the sky was falling but it is still up there, holes and all. We seem to be forgetting about futbol (soccer)? The one that outsells football games, pro and college combined. Also the NBA is pretty safe based on 2K 13's sales figures continuing to grow, which are not that far behind Madden and well ahead of NCAA Football. Everything will depend on licensing costs in the future but I am pretty sure the MLB and NHL do not want to be left without a game in the market. Golf is my only concern, based on poor sales figures and the enormous licensing fees for players, courses, etc. etc. That said there will always be Golf games, people have shown they will buy golf games without the PGA stamp of approval (Hot Shots, Mario Golf, etc).

[SmoothPancakes]

I think there will be games for a long while for the major sports. Soccer, football, baseball, basketball and hockey. I wouldn't be surprised to see the day that college football meets the same end as college basketball, and it won't have anything to do with EA making it. Regardless of who would be making it, the day will come where it's too costly on the company's bottom line to make a college football game.

So the major sports will continue, but we'll see where things have already gone. There will only be one game, whoever the companies making them at the time in the future are, but there will only be one company, one game. The days of multiple, competing titles in sports are dead and gone. Two companies dueling it out may make for a "cold war" battle trying to improve the game more and put more features in the game than the other company and may make for better games, but it'll lead to lost money for both companies with splitting the number of games sold. So they'll keep trying to get the solo licenses instead of ending up in selling wars with other companies and, regardless of how great or bad the game is, lose money because the other company will sell at least some copies.

[I OU a Beatn]

I think there will always be a place for NCAA Football. I'm not about to get into this argument, but the lackluster sales of NCAA Football this generation is not due to lack of customer interest.

[Rudy]

I think there will always be a place for NCAA Football. I'm not about to get into this argument, but the lackluster sales of NCAA Football this generation is not due to lack of customer interest.

I agree. I think any title that sells over a million copies has a place in the market. The NCAA just has to make sure they don't price their license too high. It would be a really nice benefit if the actual college football players each signed a separate agreement to allow for their likeness to be used in the video game while they are in college. I would be curious to see how the sales would be if real rosters were shipped.

I also agree with Smooth. I think the days of competing sports franchises are close to death. One sport, one game.

[steelerfan]

I'm not sure any sport besides football is going to survive through to the PS5 generation.

American Football might survive too. ;)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

[JeffHCross]

We seem to be forgetting about futbol (soccer)?True. I was ONLY thinking about the major American sports. FIFA will obviously survive.

I think there will be games for a long while for the major sports. Soccer, football, baseball, basketball and hockey. I wouldn't be surprised to see the day that college football meets the same end as college basketball, and it won't have anything to do with EA making it. Regardless of who would be making it, the day will come where it's too costly on the company's bottom line to make a college football game.We'll see. Until Jordan became the cover boy for NBA 2k (and it suddenly became the IT game to have), NCAA was often outselling NBA, at least on the PS3. The Show hasn't had the greatest numbers, versus NCAA, either. And the top selling NHL games barely cleared half a million (on the PS3).

We'll see how it goes next generation. Maybe the sports developers will get their ass in gear and be the "IT" games again, like they were in the day of the SNES and Genesis. But unless that happens again, I expect fewer sales for sports games, across the board, and a few more licenses to stop being made. And, personal opinion, the NHL, MLB and NBA would be the first to go.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/qDNnjTuuSds

[JBHuskers]

American Football might survive too. ;)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

Funny how you've been a fan of the sport for a couple years and now you're trying to correct people on what you think is the correct use of Football (NFL) compared to Soccer :D ;)

[bdoughty]

Funny how you've been a fan of the sport for a couple years and now you're trying to correct people on what you think is the correct use of Football (NFL) compared to Soccer :D ;)

Not only that he is doing it wrong. any true footie fan would use the proper illustration.

http://i.imgur.com/GQt7T7Z.jpg

[I OU a Beatn]

From Kotaku:


The next-generation Xbox—the one that will follow the still-popular Xbox 360—will run multiple games at once, require game installations, and will only work when a much-improved version of the popular but divisive Kinect sensor array is plugged in, according to a source who says he has access to development hardware.

Those are a just a few details about the new console, codenamed Durango, that were shared with us by a person with access to next-gen information. Our source also claims to have a pair of Durango development kits.

We've also heard more about how the system apparently works and what it will be like to control it and play games on it, though we've not seen the unit ourselves. Our source even claims to have played some Durango games, describing the graphical leap from current-gen console gaming like going from playing Halo 2 on an original Xbox to playing Crysis on a powerful PC.
Our source for this new info goes by the name SuperDaE. He first came to the attention of lots of people last year, when he tried to sell a Durango development kit on eBay (he says the sale was blocked by Microsoft over a copyright issue; we've asked them to confirm and will let you know what they say, if anything). He's an unusual but surprisingly well-informed source. More recently, SuperDaE contacted Kotaku with information about the next-generation PlayStation, all gleaned from more than 90 pages of Sony development kit documentation. He had new details to share about the next Xbox as well.

Like Sony, Microsoft refuses to acknowledge that their next-gen system is in the works and that people are making games for it. They're focused on selling current consoles, not giving people reasons to hold out for the future, no matter how near that future may be. As a result, Kotaku sources who have told us about things such as the codenames of the new Wiis, Xboxes and PlayStations of the world have done so from the shadows of an industry still not able to beam brightly about the next generation of console hardware. Sources can be mistaken. They can mislead. And specs can change. Nevertheless, what SuperDaE told us synched with other reports, and some details—such as the Durango's support for Blu-Ray discs—lined up with rock-solid reports we've gotten from our own proven sources.

None of the details that follow have been confirmed by Microsoft. When contacted about some of the specifics of the story late last month, a rep cited Microsoft's policy not to comment on rumors and speculation. We've asked them again about both the Durango and about SuperDaE's claims that his eBay sale was stopped by Microsoft (though it's unclear how effective that was—he's put a "Durango PC" back on sale on eBay again). Should they comment, we'll let you know.

***
SuperDaE's information comes from what appears to be white papers—overview documents—crafted to prepare game makers for the next generation. Much of what we learned from them presents the notion of the Durango as being an exceedingly capable console that merges the traits of a powerful game console with the expectations of multi-tasking users of smartphones and tablets. Peripherals such as hard drives and the Kinect sensor that were optional in the last generation are mandatory in Microsoft's next go-'round, according to SuperDaE's information.

Here's what we learned from our source, with the understanding that, while what follows is fresh info relevant up through the state of Durango development in January 2013, specs and plans can change. The likelihood of further changes does diminish as the console's expected late-2013 release gets closer. An important note: many of the specs we were made privy to were said to be set not just for development kits but for the final retail consoles as well.

Kinect
As we reported a year ago, the new version of the Kinect motion-control sensor array will be included with every Durango sold. The unit seems far superior to the one currently found for the Xbox 360 (or the PC, for that matter).

Perhaps most importantly, this isn't an optional accessory. It's mandatory. Not only does a Kinect ship with every console, but it must be plugged in and calibrated for the console to even function.

This requirement is due to the way Kinect has been integrated with the Durango; because every console can be guaranteed of having the camera, developers can now program every game with the peripheral in mind.

It's also because the Kinect will always be watching you. The new version of the camera is able to track up to six individual "skeletons" in the same room at all times. This has clear gameplay implications, such as allowing a game to instantly identify a person, but could also be related to a recently-patented Microsoft system for monitoring and maybe even charging users based on who is watching what. SuperDae's Kinect documentation also makes mention of automatic player identification becoming part of a gameplay experience.

The camera has also been improved upon the models currently available, with the Durango's version capable of independently tracking your thumbs, determining whether your hand is open or closed, and even, it's claimed, reading your facial expression and seeing whether you're angry, sad or excited. The improved viewing angle is so wide that the new Kinect doesn't even need to nod to find the best viewing angle.

Storage & Installs
A point of confusion during the lifetime of the Xbox 360, and one of consternation for developers, was the way in which Microsoft split the install base of the machine, selling some consoles with a hard drive and others without. This meant games could not be programmed to specifically take advantage of a hard drive installation.

That divide is gone this time around, with all Durango retail consoles shipping with an HDD. That drive is 500GB in size, which should be enough for your media storage needs, but it'll mostly be used for games, which must now be installed immediately upon first insertion of the game disc.

What's more, this installation can take place automatically, while you're playing the game. Durango titles can be designed in "sections," so that you can pop your disc in, start playing and, in the background, the rest of the game will install. Installing games should bring performance improvements, we think, but doing so in the background should also get rid of pre-game install waits, one of the more annoying hold-ups of the current generation of consoles.

Durango game installations will also be mandatory, as games can't directly access data from the disc.

Game-Juggling
The Durango will be able to run more than one game or app at once, according to the information shared with us. If you're, say, a computer or smartphone user, this is not exactly sending-a-man-to-the-moon level of innovation. But game consoles have long been stuck just running the system-level functions (cross-game voice-chat, Achievement alerts, etc) while a single game runs. On an Xbox 360, even an app as simple as Twitter could only be used if whatever game the user was playing was shut down first. Durango, thankfully, gets past that.

The Durango is said to also allow games to be put into "suspend" and "constrained" states, which seemingly allow users to pause a game, switch to a second game, then return to the first game without losing their place, provided game developers follow some Microsoft protocols. Again, this is no revolution for users of computers, phones, or even Nintendo and Sony handheld gaming machines, but it is one giant leap for consoles.

Controller
The Durango's control pad will be a "natural evolution" of the Xbox 360's pad, according to SuperDaE's info. While this suggests a near-identical layout—not necessarily a problem considering the cross-platform popularity of the layout with the PC—Xbox 360 controllers won't work with the Durango, as they use what Microsoft is calling a "new wireless technology."

Companion App
Perhaps to complement the lack of direct advances to the 360's controller itself, Microsoft is looking to bolster support for its Xbox Companion App.

Some of the possibilities we've learned of are far more dramatic than those originally intended for the current version of the app, taking advantage of both a phone/tablet's motion sensing capabilities and Kinect to execute actions more like those you'd expect from Nintendo's Wii U controller.

Microsoft says, "There is no limit on the imaginative possibilities with this input medium and its screen real estate." The only question is if developers have the manpower (or willpower) to make the most of it.

Specs
While various outlets, including Kotaku, have shared information on the technical specifications of Durango development kits, the specs you're about to see here are those for the final retail units that consumers will be getting their hands on.

The next Xbox will run on custom hardware that includes an 8-core, 64-bit CPU running at 1.6ghz, an 800mhz DirectX 11.x graphics processor units and, alongside them, various "custom hardware blocks" that are able to handle certain individual tasks, taking the strain off the main CPU.

According to sketches from information shared by SuperDae, there's 8GB of DDR3 memory, along with a small amount of flash memory for system tasks. The Durango's optical disc drive is 50GB in size, while, as mentioned, there's a 500GB hard drive, with read speeds of up to 50 MB/sec.

If you've got a 3D TV set, the Durango is capable—if developers want to support it—of delivering stereo 3D content in 1080p.

Those reliant on wi-fi, and who were forced to pay for Microsoft's costly external adapter with the original Xbox 360, will be happy to know that the Durango ships with built-in wi-fi (though there's still an ethernet port for wired connections).

In terms of audio, the retail Durango will output via either HDMI or S/PDIF (optical) connections, and can support up to 7.1 channels.

***
There is always a high level of interest in a new generation of video game consoles, and things get particularly wild during the months before console-makers issue their official announcements. So much information flies around: some of it made up, some of it from sources we know, and some of it from sources we don't, characters who come knocking with extraordinary tales to tell.

No one seems to know everything about the new machines. SuperDaE, for example, offered nothing about the machine's name nor the look of the console or controller. He said nothing about the idea of the new Xbox requiring a constant online connection, something most recently reported by the respected Edge magazine. (One reliable Kotaku source has told us it's true, though, again, plans can change and the strictness of that online requirement—would it tolerate a spotty signal?—remains unclear.)

Soon, the leaks will be replaced by official statements and dazzling announcement events. It is nearly guaranteed that Sony will reveal its next PlayStation to the world at a major February 20 event in New York City. It's possible that Microsoft might try to spoil that event with a pre-show tease, or hold out as long as they can wait to announce—maybe until E3 in June.

For now, those who want to plan their console gaming future are left with whispers, rumors and leaks.

Our best sources continue to assume that the next Xbox will be out by the end of the year. With Xbox 360 sales remaining high, Microsoft doesn't have to put out a new machine, but with development so far underway and with hardcore gamers' apathy for circa-2005 console tech increasing, the time is increasingly right for a new gaming console.

We'll let you know as we learn more, and we'll be as clear as we can every step of the way.

[bdoughty]

kotakuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

http://kotaku.com/5982986/we-know-all-about-the-next-xbox-from-someone-who-says-theyve-got-one

The Next Xbox Has Mandatory Kinect, Game-Swapping and New Controllers, According To Leaked Info

[bdoughty]

Beaten like a Stepchild. I do have to say that your really should post a link to the source, especially if you copy/paste a whole article. To give credit where credit is due and such.

[I OU a Beatn]

I said from Kotaku at the top. Knowing Kotaku, it's all a load of hogwash anyway.

[CLW]

The Kinect thing bothers/scares me. I dunno why but I don't like the concept of being forced to have a camera on me 24/7 and can tell how many people are watching a movie with me, etc...

[gschwendt]

The Kinect thing bothers/scares me. I dunno why but I don't like the concept of being forced to have a camera on me 24/7 and can tell how many people are watching a movie with me, etc...
I've already seen some people suggesting to just tape a picture of your living room in front of the kinect...

[JBHuskers]

:D

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[CLW]

I've already seen some people suggesting to just tape a picture of your living room in front of the kinect...

yeah but what if "Big Brother"/Kinect is "smart" enough to recognize that and not allow you to play a game or watch a movie?

[bdoughty]

yeah but what if "Big Brother"/Kinect is "smart" enough to recognize that and not allow you to play a game or watch a movie?

I would be just as concerned with it's ability to record anything said and listened to back at MS. Now you can look forward to getting banned from XBL automatically for cussing or saying something negative about Bill Gates or Windows 8. Not only that but the talk that it will have Siri capabilities. Turn on the old Xbox 720 while in the company of your wife and kids only to have Siri ask if you would like to browse "Big ass titties and shaved GILF's" because you entered these things in private a few too many times.

I want no part of Kinect, I play games for fun, not for :)).

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/XSCHNcTdBqo

same as above in video form with a funny joke asking why MS/Sony give this source all this shizzle.

[NatureBoy]

The next generation of consoles are unlikely to accommodate older games with backwards compatibility, Electronic Arts' chief financial officer told an audience of investors in San Francisco today.

Blake Jorgensen, addressing how EA will manage when new consoles arrive later this year, as is widely expected, pointed to the company's sports catalog and particularly their multiplayer offerings in explaining why they should sell strong up to the changeover.

"An important thing to remember is that next-gen consoles will most likely not be backwards compatible," he said at Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference in San Francisco, according to a transcript of remarks published by Gamasutra. "And if you [play] multiplayer on a game, you'll most likely not be able to play with someone on a different generation."

These sports gamers will not wait until the holidays for the next console generation, Jorgensen reasoned, if their favorite games are releasing between July and October. "I think that works for us positively in both ways. It helps us continue to sell gen-three products, and it will help us sell gen-four product as that cycle finally gets into place."

Sports also present a strong draw for what Jorgenseen foresees—again, doing so very broadly—as a distinguishing feature of the next console generation. "You're going to see people playing on glass at the same time they're playing on the console," Jorgensen said.

This has several applications in keeping gamers connected to EA Sports' lucrative Ultimate Team modes. Jorgensen imagined gamers playing their matches at night, then in the morning, continuing their experience during a commute—trading players, managing rosters, and more. "And all along the way, we're either doing microtransactions or just simply staying connected to the customer," Jorgensen said.

Jorgensen didn't revisit backwards compatibility and was careful to be vague about potential features for the next console generation, saying that EA, of course, has seen their capabilities internally. He largely avoided a question about what the next Xbox or PlayStation would mean for used games. "I can't really comment on where the next generation boxes are going to be relative to used games," he said. "I will say that the trend in the business is to have that always-on connectivity and connect with a customer, and to the extent that the software identifies a certain customer is going to create some issues going down the road in the used game market," he said.

"But I do believe that the consumer likes it, and it's been good for the retail channel."

http://kotaku.com/5983793/next-generation-most-likely-wont-be-backwards-compatible-ea-exec-says

[morsdraconis]

I call bullshit.

[JeffHCross]

One week to go.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/Qe1ijUdrLyA

[oweb26]

One week to go.

One week for what?

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/wdrogcPUYyA

[gschwendt]

One week for what?
Playstation 4 unveiled, presumably.
https://us.playstation.com/meeting2013/

[JBHuskers]

Yeah I'm tired of all this speculation crap. 2/20/13, let's do it!

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/u_s5FwvIdBk

[cdj]

More rumors on PS4 controllers (http://www.vgrevolution.com/2013/02/rumored-playstation-4-controller-information-with-images-and-details/)

http://www.vgrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PS4controllerheader1-640x250.jpg

[CLW]

More rumors on PS4 controllers (http://www.vgrevolution.com/2013/02/rumored-playstation-4-controller-information-with-images-and-details/)

http://www.vgrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PS4controllerheader1-640x250.jpg

shizzle that thing is going to be expensive as hell to replace when i throw it to the ground in a fit of rage. :nod:

i also don't like the lost of "the sticks". trying to imagine moving my player with a touch pad and it just doesn't seem natural.

[morsdraconis]

No way they get rid of the dual sticks. No happening.

[CLW]

No way they get rid of the dual sticks. No happening.

you also claimed 720 wouldn't have blue ray which everyone else is taking as a given right now. who knows but it wouldn't shock me for sony to do something "stupid" and get rid of the sticks.

[cdj]

http://www.destructoid.com//ul/244985-ibb.jpg

It finally looks like we may have an actual picture of what the PlayStation 4 controller looks like. The picture comes by way of Destructoid, which posted the picture taken from an unknown source (if Destructoid updates its story to state where the picture comes from, we will make note of it).

Developing…

Story: IGN (http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/14/is-this-playstation-4s-controller)

[morsdraconis]

you also claimed 720 wouldn't have blue ray which everyone else is taking as a given right now. who knows but it wouldn't shock me for sony to do something "stupid" and get rid of the sticks.

If Microsoft goes Blu-Ray, they might as well just give the console wars trophy to Sony because the amount of money they'll have to pay to Sony will basically make it where Sony can DRASTICALLY change their current design and blow Microsoft out of the water hardware wise.

I'm 95% sure that Microsoft will go with a proprietary disc format that will have pretty much the same disc space as a Blu-Ray but won't have to pay Sony anything for it. Nintendo did the same thing with the Wii-U and Microsoft would be insane not to do it as well.

[CLW]

http://www.destructoid.com//ul/244985-ibb.jpg

It finally looks like we may have an actual picture of what the PlayStation 4 controller looks like. The picture comes by way of Destructoid, which posted the picture taken from an unknown source (if Destructoid updates its story to state where the picture comes from, we will make note of it).

Developing…

Story: IGN (http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/14/is-this-playstation-4s-controller)

well i "like" that controller better than the other "leak" today. it's tough to tell but the "trigger problem" looks like it will remain as well.

[bdoughty]

If Microsoft goes Blu-Ray, they might as well just give the console wars trophy to Sony because the amount of money they'll have to pay to Sony will basically make it where Sony can DRASTICALLY change their current design and blow Microsoft out of the water hardware wise.

I'm 95% sure that Microsoft will go with a proprietary disc format that will have pretty much the same disc space as a Blu-Ray but won't have to pay Sony anything for it. Nintendo did the same thing with the Wii-U and Microsoft would be insane not to do it as well.

No, just no. You are missing the point of why the next Xbox will have Blue-Ray. It is not just about having more disc space for games. They want their system to be the entertainment hub of choice. To do that you need to be able to play Blue-Ray as they are the only High Definition disc that matters in the world of movies, etc. MS gambled on HD-DVD and lost. They are not going make the same mistake again.

[CLW]

No, just no. You are missing the point of why the next Xbox will have Blue-Ray. It is not just about having more disc space for games. They want their system to be the entertainment hub of choice. To do that you need to be able to play Blue-Ray as they are the only High Definition disc that matters in the world of movies, etc. MS gambled on HD-DVD and lost. They are not going make the same mistake again.

The ONLY way mors is right is if Xbox "gambles" and says go completely digital for your HD movie needs. I don't think we are there (yet) so I believe MS will go blue ray but they could conceivably not and "justify" it by saying just download your movies to your 720 and save the space in your living room and you don't have to get off your couch to change movies.

[SCClassof93]

Yeah I'm tired of all this speculation crap. 2/20/13, let's do it!

This belongs in the "doing your business" thread sir, :glare:

[I OU a Beatn]

Why would Microsoft have to pay Sony to use Bluray? I was under the impression that Sony was just a major supporter of Bluray...I was always under the impression they didn't actually own the rights to the tech.

I do agree about the controller. No way in hell Sony ditches the sticks. Not a chance.

[bdoughty]

Why would Microsoft have to pay Sony to use Bluray? I was under the impression that Sony was just a major supporter of Bluray...I was always under the impression they didn't actually own the rights to the tech.


Exactly, this is one of those things that people are usually mistaken. Not only that they have no clue that even Microsoft makes a tiny little royalty from Blue-Ray Discs. The VC-1 codec used in all Blu-Ray discs comes from... Microsoft (http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040901005264&newsLang=en) They are no longer the patent holder but still get royalties for each Blue-Ray sold where the VC-1 codec is utilized.

Of course all royalties go through the Blue Ray Disc Association, which has grown a bit. I think it started with 9 or 10 companies. Now up to almost 20.

So again, Mors needs to hit the old R&D desk to reformulate what exactly will be the cause Microsoft's eventual doom.

[CLW]

"Dissecting" the PS4 controller:


http://youtu.be/D8kZCV621Tw

[cdj]

From IGN, an update on the PS4 controller (http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/15/is-this-playstation-4s-controller):

Important Update: A trusted source has told IGN that this controller is real. However, our source notes that it's an early prototype. The controller, in other words, is likely to change between now and when the console launches.

Sony has responded to our inquiry to note that it "can't comment on rumors or speculation", its typical response. We'll almost certainly find out what the final controller looks like at the PlayStation event in NYC on February 20.

The original story (with a further update) is below.

We finally have an actual picture of what the PlayStation 4 controller looks like, at least in prototype form (see the above "Important Update" for more on that). The picture comes by way of Destructoid, which posted the picture taken from an unknown source.

There’s a lot of familiar stuff on the controller along with a litany of new and interesting features. For starters, the directional pad (d-pad) on the left seems to feature meatier, bulkier buttons that are put closer together than on DualShock 3. The face buttons on the right side of the controller seem standard.

The analog sticks look to be a bit further apart, though they remain level, unlike the Xbox 360 controller's unevenly placed sticks. However, the sticks themselves are concave, like the Xbox 360’s. PlayStation 3’s controller includes convex analog sticks.

The much-rumored touch pad – a la the back of PlayStation Vita – appears at the center of the controller. There’s a small, mystery button to the left of the pad, above and to the right of the d-pad. Is this the rumored share button? Or is it a start or select button, both conspicuously absent from this version of the controller?

Meanwhile, there’s a glowing “something” on the top of the controller – most likely PlayStation Move-related – as well as a PlayStation button seemingly identical to the one on the PS3 controller. Above the PlayStation button appears to be a speaker, and what looks to be an audio jack is underneath the controller, perhaps used to plug in a headset.

Sony has indicated, per usual, that it does not comment on rumor and speculation.

Update: Another source has told IGN that the mysterious space in the middle of the controller can be pressed like a button, something Kotaku's source has also stated. Our separate source also indicates that the R2 and L2 buttons may actually be more in line with spring-loaded Xbox 360-like triggers and that the light atop the controller is indeed a PlayStation Move sensor.

[I OU a Beatn]

It's ugly, but I like the general idea. I'm also excited as a pig in mud for the touchscreen and it's not because of the touch ability. You can clearly see the touchscreen requires the controller to be a tad bit bigger, which is a huge plus for me.

EDIT: Didn't see the bottom and 360 like triggers! BOOM!

[cdj]

Per @necrosofty (https://twitter.com/necrosofty/status/302246692701474816): This is how the PS4 controller works (http://i.imgur.com/9t7BIBi.gif)

[JBHuskers]

I just noticed a tiny speaker on the controller.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[bdoughty]

Meanwhile, there’s a glowing “something” on the top of the controller – most likely PlayStation Move-related – as well as a PlayStation button seemingly identical to the one on the PS3 controller. Above the PlayStation button appears to be a speaker, and what looks to be an audio jack is underneath the controller, perhaps used to plug in a headset.


Nope, it is the DLC indicator. It will be bright enough to light a 500 sq ft room when activated and was created for the Publishers/Developers to easily alert customers that DLC is now available.

Yellow = Game has new DLC.
Blue = Developer is upset you have not bought DLC.
Red = You have played more than 20 hours of this game and purchased no DLC.
Green = We have most of your money and there are just a few more items to buy before we leave you alone.
Off = All DLC Purchased. Thank you.


and as the earlier picture provided by CDJ showed, mutli-colored lights that will cause a seizure if you are plying a used game and therefore stealing from them.

[psuexv]

I'm not worried about my Internet going out for minutes, hours, or days ... I'm worried about the occasional burp or flicker (which seems to happen nightly in my current living conditions) that would do more than just kill a multi-player session, it would kill my entire console usage.

If Sony went to an always-online DRM (doesn't affect me at all if M$ does it), then I'd be strongly tempted to build the best computer I could afford and just play EVE Online day in and day out. Though I have plenty of PS3 games to finish too.

This! Prime example, for some reason NHL's Connected Careers are always online, nothing is saved local. So I'm playing a game last night against the CPU not a user and I dropped connection to the EA Servers. Game boots me out and I have to play it again.

[JBHuskers]

Nope, it is the DLC indicator. It will be bright enough to light a 500 sq ft room when activated and was created for the Publishers/Developers to easily alert customers that DLC is now available.

Yellow = Game has new DLC.
Blue = Developer is upset you have not bought DLC.
Red = You have played more than 20 hours of this game and purchased no DLC.
Green = We have most of your money and there are just a few more items to buy before we leave you alone.
Off = All DLC Purchased. Thank you.


and as the earlier picture provided by CDJ showed, mutli-colored lights that will cause a seizure if you are plying a used game and therefore stealing from them.

So it's a fucking mood ring :D

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[morsdraconis]

Holy fuckin' shit, that sounds HORRIBLE. :smh: If that's true, that's the gayest thing I've ever seen.

[CLW]

Holy fuckin' shit, that sounds HORRIBLE. :smh: If that's true, that's the gayest thing I've ever seen.

It also gives all liberals cancer. :nod: :D

[gschwendt]

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/15/rumor-another-day-another-ps4-prototype-controller-photo/
http://i.imgur.com/yec5Gxw.jpg

[SCClassof93]

Holy fuckin' shit, that sounds HORRIBLE. :smh: If that's true, that's the gayest thing I've ever seen.

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0cpmjmOwx1r8z9sp.jpg

[JBHuskers]

It also gives all liberals cancer. :nod: :D

You can cure and treat cancer. Can't cure and treat being a Republican ;) :D

[JBHuskers]

It's ugly, but I like the general idea. I'm also excited as a pig in mud for the touchscreen and it's not because of the touch ability. You can clearly see the touchscreen requires the controller to be a tad bit bigger, which is a huge plus for me.

EDIT: Didn't see the bottom and 360 like triggers! BOOM!

Prototypes aren't meant to be pretty.

Where did you see a bit on triggers?

I'm guessing the touchpad replaces the start/select screen. Just the pad to start the game, kinda like the Vita.

[CLW]

You can cure and treat cancer. Can't cure and treat being a Republican ;) :D

actually there is NO CURE for any type cancer (although it can be "treated"). but thanks for trying to play with metaphors. :nod:

[gschwendt]

I'm guessing the touchpad replaces the start/select screen.
You can vaguely make out what looks like could be Start/Select to the top-sides of the touchpad.

[JBHuskers]

You can vaguely make out what looks like could be Start/Select to the top-sides of the touchpad.

Yeah I forgot about what they think is a share button. That could be select or something like that for games that use select. Can easily use the touchpad to replace start.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/x066DwjQkZs

[NatureBoy]

http://i.imgur.com/c2bOTPq.gif

[I OU a Beatn]

Prototypes aren't meant to be pretty.

Where did you see a bit on triggers?

I'm guessing the touchpad replaces the start/select screen. Just the pad to start the game, kinda like the Vita.

Lol, I know...I meant it's ugly even for a prototype. It looks much better in the second picture.

Triggers are clear at the bottom:


Update: Another source has told IGN that the mysterious space in the middle of the controller can be pressed like a button, something Kotaku's source has also stated. Our separate source also indicates that the R2 and L2 buttons may actually be more in line with spring-loaded Xbox 360-like triggers and that the light atop the controller is indeed a PlayStation Move sensor.

[cdj]

The newest rumor is in regard to the next PlayStation’s ability to stream games. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that “Sony Corp. is planning to offer technology to stream games to its next videogame console,” according to its own sources.

The new technology, to be unveiled Wednesday along with the new console, will allow users to play games delivered over the Internet, these people said. The streaming service, they added, is designed to use current PlayStation 3 titles on the new console; the new device is also expected to play new games stored on optical discs.

As WSJ points out, such a move on Sony’s part would be unsurprising. Even when it was drowning in red ink, it still took a massive risk when it bought streaming service Gaikai for $380 million. There is absolutely no doubt that, with an investment that significant at such a difficult time for Sony, that the company’s technology will be poised to play an important role in Sony’s future.

Streaming games to PlayStation 4 (and perhaps other Sony devices) would be significant, giving gamers access to a wide array of titles that they never had to purchase outright. This could suggest that Sony may have a game rental-like service on its next PlayStation, or perhaps even a new subscription service that would give gamers access to a library of offerings. At this point, everything remains speculative.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/16/report-playstation-4-will-stream-games

[I OU a Beatn]

I wouldn't be surprised a bit. I'd have to assume that was Sony's entire intent when they bought out Gaikai last year. Still, if it works well, it'll definitely be a really, really nice feature to have. Wednesday is going to be a fun day.

[CLW]

The newest rumor is in regard to the next PlayStation’s ability to stream games. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that “Sony Corp. is planning to offer technology to stream games to its next videogame console,” according to its own sources.

The new technology, to be unveiled Wednesday along with the new console, will allow users to play games delivered over the Internet, these people said. The streaming service, they added, is designed to use current PlayStation 3 titles on the new console; the new device is also expected to play new games stored on optical discs.

As WSJ points out, such a move on Sony’s part would be unsurprising. Even when it was drowning in red ink, it still took a massive risk when it bought streaming service Gaikai for $380 million. There is absolutely no doubt that, with an investment that significant at such a difficult time for Sony, that the company’s technology will be poised to play an important role in Sony’s future.

Streaming games to PlayStation 4 (and perhaps other Sony devices) would be significant, giving gamers access to a wide array of titles that they never had to purchase outright. This could suggest that Sony may have a game rental-like service on its next PlayStation, or perhaps even a new subscription service that would give gamers access to a library of offerings. At this point, everything remains speculative.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/16/report-playstation-4-will-stream-games

That would be really cool. I'd pay a monthly/yearly fee if the library was significant and of course trophies. :nod:

[JBHuskers]

They used the term backwards compatible with the streaming talk. I wonder if you maybe put in the disc, there is something on there that would say "hey this guy has the game, he can stream it" the game wouldn't play off the disc, but something on it would trigger the unlock to stream the game.

[Rudy]

They used the term backwards compatible with the streaming talk. I wonder if you maybe put in the disc, there is something on there that would say "hey this guy has the game, he can stream it" the game wouldn't play off the disc, but something on it would trigger the unlock to stream the game.

That would be a good freaking idea.

[CLW]

Sony clearly "building up" to a PS4 announcement with a "look back" on Youtube:


http://youtu.be/U7w5i_YCFmQ

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/Hvcps5dFzfc

[JeffHCross]

Exactly, this is one of those things that people are usually mistaken.I'm not totally sure I believe that M$ gets money from every Blu-ray disc sold. They backed HD-DVD for a reason, after all. Unless they got more from one than the other ...

But, I also don't think including a Blu-ray player will be the end of the console wars. Primarily because money from Blu-rays, assuming Sony gets some, is not likely to go directly back into the Playstation division. If anything, it would prop up the other Sony divisions to the point where the company may not go completely out of business. But if wouldn't be something that would turn the war. I always thought M$ would be unlikely to back "Sony's" format, in the last generation, but not because it would turn the war. Just because I don't see M$ as the type of company to license technology from a competitor.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/-XF2pu-4rXc

[Rudy]

Both MS and Sony have taken big hits over the last few years and are nowhere near as solid as they were at the beginning of this gen. Sony has been bleeding a lot of money lately in all their businesses and the PS3 has been a pretty big failure in terms of profit. They lost a crapload those first few years on the system. MS is finally making money on the 360 but with the PC business basically dying their financial bottom line and future is nowhere near as strong as it was when it launched the 360. Both companies need their next console to be profitable and I think the slow sales of the Wii U make it unlikely the tablet filled marketplace will support three consoles in the future (maybe not even two). Good luck trying to sell a new console at $400+ this time around.

[bdoughty]

I'm not totally sure I believe that M$ gets money from every Blu-ray disc sold.

I never said every disc. I said every disc where the VC-1 codec was used.


What video codecs will Blu-ray support?

MPEG-2 - enhanced for HD, also used for playback of DVDs and HDTV recordings.
MPEG-4 AVC - part of the MPEG-4 standard also known as H.264 (High Profile and Main Profile).
SMPTE VC-1 - standard based on Microsoft's Windows Media Video (WMV) technology.

Please note that this simply means that all Blu-ray players and recorders will have to support playback of these video codecs, it will still be up to the movie studios to decide which video codec(s) they use for their releases.

[JBHuskers]

According to The Times in the UK, the PS4 will launch at £300; which is the equivalent to $399 here.

[CLW]

According to The Times in the UK, the PS4 will launch at £300; which is the equivalent to $399 here.

Only one option? I assumed they would go with a tiered approach again.

[I OU a Beatn]

That probably is the standard option. I'd imagine there would be one with a bigger hard drive for $450. I think they really want to have at least one model at that $400 price point, though, because that's exactly when the PS3 started finally selling the way they imagined.

[JBHuskers]

Only one option? I assumed they would go with a tiered approach again.

Stretching out the tiers is probably the best model. You'll get those who get the first, then want to go out and get the next one up, and trade the old one in.

I just hope the HDD is 1TB, but I doubt it. Probably 500GB to start.

[CLW]

Stretching out the tiers is probably the best model. You'll get those who get the first, then want to go out and get the next one up, and trade the old one in.

I just hope the HDD is 1TB, but I doubt it. Probably 500GB to start.

I'm hoping the HDD is the same size and its buy the cheap model and just pop in the old PS3 harddrive after clearing it out.

[JBHuskers]

I'm hoping the HDD is the same size and its buy the cheap model and just pop in the old PS3 harddrive after clearing it out.

Depending on the streaming details, I'll still be playing a ton of PS3 games, so I'd initially be still in need of my HDD. Plus I'd still have to get a new HDD since the TB HDD I had didn't work well and I had to go back to my 320GB.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/X_W1JQ5ubWQ

[JeffHCross]

I never said every disc. I said every disc where the VC-1 codec was used.Ah. Didn't realize there was more than one.

I just hope the HDD is 1TB, but I doubt it. Probably 500GB to start.Almost no way it's 1 TB in my mind. I'd honestly be surprised to see 500 GB, even. Maybe for the "higher" option.

[JBHuskers]

Ah. Didn't realize there was more than one.
Almost no way it's 1 TB in my mind. I'd honestly be surprised to see 500 GB, even. Maybe for the "higher" option.

You gotta think these games are going to take up more space, plus more digital delivery. Going the SATA route, they don't license or sell hard drives. I'm guess not too many people buy a console, then jump on the next one that has a bigger hard drive. Makes sense to launch with a bigger hard drive.

[Rudy]

I'm still not a fan of digital distribution. I want a physical disc I can buy and sell when I'm done. Of course if they block used game sales digital will be nice and easy but it also makes gaming more expensive. I trade/sell almost everything and I'll rent once in awhile. I hope they have a digital rental store. Huge hard drives only add to the cost of the machine.

[JeffHCross]

You gotta think these games are going to take up more space, plus more digital delivery. Going the SATA route, they don't license or sell hard drives. I'm guess not too many people buy a console, then jump on the next one that has a bigger hard drive. Makes sense to launch with a bigger hard drive.See, it's the "makes sense" part that makes me assume it won't come to pass.

[JBHuskers]

I'm still not a fan of digital distribution. I want a physical disc I can buy and sell when I'm done. Of course if they block used game sales digital will be nice and easy but it also makes gaming more expensive. I trade/sell almost everything and I'll rent once in awhile. I hope they have a digital rental store. Huge hard drives only add to the cost of the machine.

:+1:

Except I'm a hoarder and have ADD when it comes to sticking to one game.

[I OU a Beatn]

As is evident by your 25% completion percentage. Don't feel bad, I'm just as bad. :D

[CLW]

IGN is doing a live stream re: PS4


http://www.youtube.com/user/IGNentertainment?v=TS2eaFGZp4w

[morsdraconis]

This should be interesting. Not sure what they're going to talk about besides a bunch of already talked about concept stuff.

[CLW]

From the stream thus far:



"Future" of PS - more than just PS4 (PS3 not finished; Vita)
Vita Price Drop likely coming
PS4 ties into Vita
Sony should promote PS4 as "gamer's console" - no kiddie/move shizzle

[CLW]

Too early for 100% Cloud probably 10 years away
Uncharted 4 and GOW 4 Little Big Planet 3 to be the big exclusive sellers within the 1st year
Sony will NOT announce price until MS comes out with their price
Sony will NOT announce release date until MS does

[CLW]

Price guess $399 but multiple tiers
Stream PS3 games b/c not backwards compatible
Used Games = TOAST but might be able to buy used games and then buy a "keys" (like EA online pass) - and will be good for the industry - publishers hurting b/c of the used game market
Believes prices will drop for games once digital downloads become more common

[JBHuskers]

Sony registers 'PlayStation Cloud' domains (http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/sony-registers-playstation-cloud-domains/)

[CLW]

PS+ integrated with the streaming of PS3 games + more cloud storage start out with a "Best Of PS3" collection for your PS4 etc...
controller will be announced
Sony gamers are more "hard core" than 360's more "casual" base who "just buy Madden"
PSN will remain free

[CLW]

This generation is going to have "performance issues" b/c these systems are not going to be that big of an upgrade from PS3/360 compared to PC
PS4 with a slight outside shot of just PS not any other name
likely last multi (at least) console generation
some random dude got a box of Almonds from Amazon :fp:

[SmoothPancakes]

Believes prices will drop for games once digital downloads become more common



That's a laugh! :D :D :D

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/AKi7qlDdXxs

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/p5iS4g8jAHg

LMAO at WiiU already being at the retirement table. :nod:

[JBHuskers]

I just hope (for no extra cost) PS4 has backwards compatibility; whether it be in the cloud, as long as you put the disc in the system, or something like that.

Very stoked to see where PS+ is going to go with the PS4.

[cdj]

pastapadre tweeted (https://twitter.com/pastapadre/status/303993471058997248) there is a rumor (probably going to be a flurry of rumors in next 24 hours) that PS4 will have a built-in spectator mode to allow others to watch, even if they don't own the game at-hand.

[bdoughty]

pastapadre tweeted (https://twitter.com/pastapadre/status/303993471058997248) there is a rumor (probably going to be a flurry of rumors in next 24 hours) that PS4 will have a built-in spectator mode to allow others to watch, even if they don't own the game at-hand.

Virtual Heckling, that will work out well.

[CLW]

pastapadre tweeted (https://twitter.com/pastapadre/status/303993471058997248) there is a rumor (probably going to be a flurry of rumors in next 24 hours) that PS4 will have a built-in spectator mode to allow others to watch, even if they don't own the game at-hand.

That would be cool. CDJ buys a game but I'm not sure if its my cup of tea. I ask to spectate while he plays through and I can decide for myself whether or not to purchase the new game or not (since used games are now probably out).

[CLW]

Pasta just tweeted the link but - PS4 = November:

http://kotaku.com/5985356/source-the-ps4-will-be-out-this-november-and-youll-be-able-to-control-it-with-your-phone

[CLW]

FYI - allot of "interesting" nuggets in this article: (1) price; (2) phone/tablets; (3) no more free PSN; (4) PS+ now = PS World

[cdj]

That would be cool. CDJ buys a game but I'm not sure if its my cup of tea. I ask to spectate while he plays through and I can decide for myself whether or not to purchase the new game or not (since used games are now probably out).

Or you realize how big of a cheeser I am and ruin my online street cred.

Or you see JB playing every Disney movie tie-in video game for trophies and realize he has no street cred.


Who knows what will happen, but I had a feeling the days of free PS were going to end with the new consoles. I just hope it is an improved experience worthy of the cost. Phone apps could be pretty cool as well.


My early prediction for the PS4/360 is that they are both going to focus on righting some wrongs of the last console generation (more RAM in PS4, larger disc space for 720 games) but also work to get a constant revenue stream (see below).

There should be a nice leap, but not a huge leap in tech as they realize 1) people cannot/will not spend $500-$700 for a new console and 2) they'll make more money nickel & diming people. $400 or so to start, $10 a month for online features, perhaps an extra $5/month for 'premier service', $10 to unlock used games, plus the cut of DLC put out by studios.

[JBHuskers]

Or you see JB playing every Disney movie tie-in video game for trophies and realize he has no street cred.


Says the guy that actually PURCHASED the Hannah Montana game.

[cdj]

I thought I would copy some of the Kotaku article (http://kotaku.com/5985356/) since it has most of the info currently being discussed here and on social networks:


Our source—the same reliable source who back in early 2012 told us the codename for Sony's next console and the codename for Microsoft's next console—tells us that there are two models planned for the new machine, and that pricing won't be announced until later this year, possibly around E3. The current plan, our source says, is to release them at $429 and $529, but that could change.

Although nothing is confirmed just yet, as we get closer and closer to the release of Orbis, which Sony is expected to officially announce during an event in New York City tomorrow night, we continue to hear more details about what will ship with the new hardware. Back in January, we learned about the PS4's new controller, which has a small touchpad in the center, and the fancy new user account system that will allow multiple people to log into one console at the same time.

New information revealed by our source suggests that on top of all that, you'll also be able to control the PS4 remotely from your tablet or smartphone. You'll be able to use a mobile device to chat with your PS4 friends or buy games which are then automatically downloaded to your machine, our source says.

Orbis is also following the path first set by Xbox Live: our source says "most" of the PS4's online features will require a premium subscription to use. Sony's new online service will be called PlayStation World, our source says, replacing PlayStation Plus.

(No word on whether that's related to PlayStation Cloud, domains for which Sony registered on Friday. We couldn't find any domains or trademarks registered for PlayStation World.)

Some other tidbits: our source says that every PS4 will come with a PlayStation Eye; that a new spectating feature will let you watch other friends play games from your console's dashboard, even when you don't own the game they're playing; and that the console will support local network play via Vita.

[CLW]

Says the guy that actually PURCHASED the Hannah Montana game.

Only a LOSER would purchase Hannah Montana! A REAL man rents it via GameFly gets the :Plat: and returns it before anyone notices he is even playing it. :nod:

[JBHuskers]

Only a LOSER would purchase Hannah Montana! A REAL man rents it via GameFly gets the :Plat: and returns it before anyone notices he is even playing it. :nod:

I just borrowed it from him :nod:

[SmoothPancakes]

There should be a nice leap, but not a huge leap in tech as they realize 1) people cannot/will not spend $500-$700 for a new console and 2) they'll make more money nickel & diming people. $400 or so to start, $10 a month for online features, perhaps an extra $5/month for 'premier service', $10 to unlock used games, plus the cut of DLC put out by studios.

Well, at least people wouldn't be able to complain anymore about MS charging for Xbox Live Gold. Though even nickel & diming people, I could't see Sony charging those prices. You can get a full year of Live Gold for $60 retail (and usually find it cheap a ton of times throughout the year online). $10 a month would put Sony double what MS charges now.

[cdj]

Well, at least people wouldn't be able to complain anymore about MS charging for Xbox Live Gold. Though even nickel & diming people, I could't see Sony charging those prices. You can get a full year of Live Gold for $60 retail (and usually find it cheap a ton of times throughout the year online). $10 a month would put Sony double what MS charges now.

I just typed a number and wasn't thinking that would be an exact cost. I was more going for and trying to stress the different avenues of income I think Sony will be looking for with the PS4Play.

Though, I would guess that Microsoft will make plenty of decisions based upon what they see tomorrow, including some costs.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/1_zAsyDR0tM

[I OU a Beatn]

Holy shit, please, please, PLEASE charge for online services, Sony. The backlash from a decision like that would give me MONTHS of highly entertaining reading.

[JBHuskers]

I don't think they would charge. That's kind of their ah-ha thing they have over Microsoft.

[CLW]

Holy shit, please, please, PLEASE charge for online services, Sony. The backlash from a decision like that would give me MONTHS of highly entertaining reading.


I don't think they would charge. That's kind of their ah-ha thing they have over Microsoft.

Yeah I don't buy it either. I'm pretty sure they have used the "free" thing and perhaps even "always free" re: PSN. Doesn't make sense to me to change just make PS+ worth it. I didn't buy it at 1st but to me its worth it with the free games and auto updates. Add something else as a "bonus" for PS+ and more people will pay for it but a "no frills" online experience should always be "free" (i.e. included with just purchasing the console)

[morsdraconis]

I'll say again, Sony is insane if they don't make it a mandatory charge to be online through PSN. Microsoft has people like IOU by the balls and they're milkin' it for all it's worth (bullshit of raising the price without a sale for Xbox Live to $60). Sony would make just as much if they charged something similar ($50 a year like PS+ is currently priced at). The infrastructure that the money from Xbox Live allows Microsoft to build would be just as good on PSN if Sony had the balls to actually charge for their online services.

And IOU, I laugh my ass off at people like you that blindly follow the Xbox Live hoard and shell out $40-$60 a year for their shitty service, all the while I get the EXACT same services for free on my PC. ;)

[SmoothPancakes]

I'll say again, Sony is insane if they don't make it a mandatory charge to be online through PSN. Microsoft has people like IOU by the balls and they're milkin' it for all it's worth (bullshit of raising the price without a sale for Xbox Live to $60). Sony would make just as much if they charged something similar ($50 a year like PS+ is currently priced at). The infrastructure that the money from Xbox Live allows Microsoft to build would be just as good on PSN if Sony had the balls to actually charge for their online services.

Pretty much this as to why I can see Sony making it a mandatory charge. MS has been reeling in money for years now by making people pay for Gold, and millions still buy 360s and pay for Gold, even with the PS3 and it's free online on the market. Sony would face tons of backlash, yes, but I just can't imagine them letting all that easy money that's just sitting there be pissed away for another generation. It was how many years that Sony was gouging money out of their eyeballs with the PS3 before finally turning a profit, when it might not have turned a profit much sooner, but having a $50 a year subscription fee, would have at least cut down those losses however slightly.

Will Sony be fully willing to again piss away all those profits from forcing people to pay for online like MS does? Even with free online, Sony was losing the console wars for much of this generation. To help cut down costs and bring in a profit faster with this generation of consoles, it might be time for Sony to join MS on the dark side and charge for online. As said before, no doubt there will be loads of backlash, but just as many people will simply accept it and pay as there are those who will boycott or sit there online bitching about it.

[I OU a Beatn]

I'll say again, Sony is insane if they don't make it a mandatory charge to be online through PSN. Microsoft has people like IOU by the balls and they're milkin' it for all it's worth (bullshit of raising the price without a sale for Xbox Live to $60). Sony would make just as much if they charged something similar ($50 a year like PS+ is currently priced at). The infrastructure that the money from Xbox Live allows Microsoft to build would be just as good on PSN if Sony had the balls to actually charge for their online services.

And IOU, I laugh my ass off at people like you that blindly follow the Xbox Live hoard and shell out $40-$60 a year for their shitty service, all the while I get the EXACT same services for free on my PC. ;)

They don't have you by the balls if you can pay for the service by digging change out of your couch. I've never paid more than $35 a year, which equates to less than $3 per month. That's virtually nothing for the ability to use party chat and play Gears and Halo with my buddies.

BUT, I agree with your general idea. Microsoft proved with Live that if you offer a required service to play online and access online features, people WILL pay it. I would like to think that Sony has realized this and they're going to incorporate something similar. Whether people who play on Playstation know it or not, as you said, requiring a subscription would allow Sony to build the quality online infrastructure that Microsoft has.

[bdoughty]

And IOU, I laugh my ass off at people like you that blindly follow the Xbox Live hoard and shell out $40-$60 a year for their shitty service, all the while I get the EXACT same services for free on my PC. ;)

I believe this calls for a...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftbm8EZZDqI

It is far from a shitty service. Now stop blindly following the hoard of PC moaners who repeat this shit ad nauseum. Bunch of elitist snobs getting erections over the latest overpriced GeForce or Radeon cards. ;)

[JeffHCross]

all the while I get the EXACT same services for free on my PC. ;)wat?

[morsdraconis]

wat?

What do you mean what? I can have voice chat with an unlimited number of people at once through Steam as well as Skype (both completely free). I have an extensive friends list of people that I can pop in and out of with at any time to play games with through Steam. I can voice chat with people even if they aren't playing the same game as me through Steam or Skype. I can watch Netflix, Hulu+, NBA League Pass, MLB, NHL, etc all for no extra fee outside of their normal fees through my web browser. I can do everything that Xbox Live offers, for free, thus, my above statement. ;)

[morsdraconis]

It is far from a shitty service. Now stop blindly following the hoard of PC moaners who repeat this shit ad nauseum.

I was a PC gamer FAR before it was the norm. And Xbox Live is a shitty service that advertises at me when I just want to play a fuckin' game. I don't give a shit about some stupid promotional bullshit that they're doing; If I'm on their console, I want to play a god damn game, not have to look at some flash video playing advertising some shit that I most likely don't give two shits about.

And, as for going apeshit over the latest tech, how the hell is that any different than all the PS, Xbox, or Nintendo fanboys losing their shit when a new console comes out? Pot meet kettle on that shit man.

[psuexv]

Who knows what will happen, but I had a feeling the days of free PS were going to end with the new consoles. I just hope it is an improved experience worthy of the cost. Phone apps could be pretty cool as well.



I think you're absolutely right. No more free PSN. Which is fine with me but like you said it better be a good experience and not the debacle that their network is now.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/AM6XgKIY3P8

[morsdraconis]

http://youtu.be/AM6XgKIY3P8

Interesting price points. I think that would be a huge mistake for them to charge $529 for the higher tier of the console though. If they really are looking at ~$500 for the higher tier of the console, then they have learned nothing from their experiences with the PS3.

[CLW]

Interesting price points. I think that would be a huge mistake for them to charge $529 for the higher tier of the console though. If they really are looking at ~$500 for the higher tier of the console, then they have learned nothing from their experiences with the PS3.

To me its all about "bang for the buck". If the HDD is different than PS3 (I'm hoping its not so its just a pop in pop out) I may want the higher end model for the HDD space. If the lower end is 500GB and the higher end is 1TB that might easily be worth it.

[JBHuskers]

Since the Vita went with the Sony specific memory, it won't shock me if the PS4 does too. I still hope to god they use the 2.5" SATA still though.

[CLW]

Since the Vita went with the Sony specific memory, it won't shock me if the PS4 does too. I still hope to god they use the 2.5" SATA still though.

Yeah if Sony goes with proprietary memory then I imagine "upgrading" will cost an "arm and a leg". We shall see.

[JBHuskers]

Yeah if Sony goes with proprietary memory then I imagine "upgrading" will cost an "arm and a leg". We shall see.

Exhibit A (http://www.amazon.com/32GB-PlayStation-Vita-Memory-Card/dp/B006JKASCK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=U5TJN2U3L7HH&coliid=I21U5GKYJPA3QH)

[CLW]

Exhibit A (http://www.amazon.com/32GB-PlayStation-Vita-Memory-Card/dp/B006JKASCK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=U5TJN2U3L7HH&coliid=I21U5GKYJPA3QH)

Holy shizzle that borderline usury. Legal term of the day. :nod:

[CLW]

For whatever it is worth the developers apparently got 2.5" SATA drives with their development kits:

http://www.ps4playstation4.com/Expected-PS4-Specs

I interpret the "not likely for the retail version" to be referring to the actual size of the HDD and not that it will be 2.5" SATA.

[I OU a Beatn]

Well they charge $100 for 32GB on the Vita. Doing the math, for a 500GB hard drive, you'd be getting the bargain price of $1562.50. Sign me the hell up NOW!

[JBHuskers]

For whatever it is worth the developers apparently got 2.5" SATA drives with their development kits:

http://www.ps4playstation4.com/Expected-PS4-Specs

I interpret the "not likely for the retail version" to be referring to the actual size of the HDD and not that it will be 2.5" SATA.

That makes me feel better that they will stick with SATA.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/cIjSZpbFl-Y

[JBHuskers]

Almost 2.5 hours :hump:

[CLW]

Almost 2.5 hours :hump:

When does the IGN coverage start?

[JBHuskers]

When does the IGN coverage start?

No clue, I'm just going to watch the stream straight from Sony.

[CLW]

No clue, I'm just going to watch the stream straight from Sony.

Just checked IGN starts at 4 CST. I think that's an hour early?

[JBHuskers]

Just checked IGN starts at 4 CST. I think that's an hour early?

Yep. Show is at 5cst

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[morsdraconis]

Yeah. www.twitch.tv/playstation is where Sony is broadcasting it live. I'll be watching from there as well.

[CLW]

IGN live stream:

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/14/watch-the-220-playstation-event-on-ign

or here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/IGNentertainment?v=noRJ15T4qb4

[CLW]

IGN guys seem to think Sony is going to sell Vita units via how it works with PS4.

[JBHuskers]

IGN guys seem to think Sony is going to sell Vita units via how it works with PS4.

Well that's good considering I have a Vita already :nod:

[CLW]

Well that's good considering I have a Vita already :nod:

Also expect a price drop for Vita like what they recently did in Japan.

[bdoughty]

I was a PC gamer FAR before it was the norm. And Xbox Live is a shitty service that advertises at me when I just want to play a fuckin' game. I don't give a shit about some stupid promotional bullshit that they're doing; If I'm on their console, I want to play a god damn game, not have to look at some flash video playing advertising some shit that I most likely don't give two shits about.

And, as for going apeshit over the latest tech, how the hell is that any different than all the PS, Xbox, or Nintendo fanboys losing their shit when a new console comes out? Pot meet kettle on that shit man.

I was a PC gamer when you were playing with Lego's and watching Sesame Street, so what? Wee I got to spend 30 minutes tweaking my configs and DMA/IRQ's settings just to get a game running with video and sound.

You never have to touch the ad's, they are generally in the bottom right hand screen. I can get to any game or area in the Xbox dashboard I need without dealing with ad's. That is just weaksauce. To stay PC elite you have to upgrade you system far more often than new consoles. So it is not even close to pot meets kettle.

[cdj]

A friendly reminder - We will have a dedicated PS4 thread for discussion of console info with official details finally emerging. This thread will then morph solely into X-Box 720 rumors until Microsoft releases details on their next console.

[JeffHCross]

What do you mean what? I can have voice chat with an unlimited number of people at once through Steam as well as Skype (both completely free). I have an extensive friends list of people that I can pop in and out of with at any time to play games with through Steam. I can voice chat with people even if they aren't playing the same game as me through Steam or Skype. I can watch Netflix, Hulu+, NBA League Pass, MLB, NHL, etc all for no extra fee outside of their normal fees through my web browser. I can do everything that Xbox Live offers, for free, thus, my above statement. ;)Not everything. But most, yes. But there is not one ecosystem that provides all of that. Steam does, to an extent, but not like XBL does. For the simple reason that XBL has a hook into everything that is played on the console. Nothing has that hook on PC.

[cdj]

Kotaku's @stephentotilo: I still hear Durango's leaning toward "always online" (https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/304587893857468416)

[CLW]

Kotaku's @stephentotilo: I still hear Durango's leaning toward "always online" (https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/304587893857468416)

that's a BIG mistake IMHO. Rural America's internet is not up to snuff and the "culture" of that part of America isn't quite at the "I need internet 24/7; OMG; WTF; etc..." that the coasts are.

[JBHuskers]

Did anyone else want to see Major Nelson's face once the Blizzard guy came out?

[I OU a Beatn]

So it's confirmed that there's no backwards compatibility on the PS4 and you can't even play the games you've downloaded from the Store. Hey, Microsoft, you've just been gifted a golden opportunity. It's probably best to take advantage of it.

If neither one of them supports backwards compatibility and doesn't even allow you to play arcade games you purchased through their stores, I'm going to be highly annoyed. I don't care so much about backwards compatibility, but I care a GREAT deal about the arcade games.

[oweb26]

So it's confirmed that there's no backwards compatibility on the PS4 and you can't even play the games you've downloaded from the Store. Hey, Microsoft, you've just been gifted a golden opportunity. It's probably best to take advantage of it.

If neither one of them supports backwards compatibility and doesn't even allow you to play arcade games you purchased through their stores, I'm going to be highly annoyed. I don't care so much about backwards compatibility, but I care a GREAT deal about the arcade games.

I don't have a ton of PS3 games so its not that big of an issue for me, on top of I am not a big replayer of past games, BUT I would still like the option of doing so, if MS doesn't have backwards compatibility that would be really questionable decision (money probably being the main culprit), what if I want to replay my Mass Effect series (which version one, I downloaded from your store) I will also be in the annoyed group.

Not being able to play downloaded games is a major "fuck you" by any console maker that has it set that way, and I bet they will offer the old games in the various stores for a price which would make me even more annoyed if I ever decided to replay something.

[morsdraconis]

So it's confirmed that there's no backwards compatibility on the PS4 and you can't even play the games you've downloaded from the Store. Hey, Microsoft, you've just been gifted a golden opportunity. It's probably best to take advantage of it.

If neither one of them supports backwards compatibility and doesn't even allow you to play arcade games you purchased through their stores, I'm going to be highly annoyed. I don't care so much about backwards compatibility, but I care a GREAT deal about the arcade games.

Microsoft isn't going to make it backwards compatible either man. That was the ENTIRE reason why the PS3 was so damn expensive for Sony to manufacture when it first came out. Having to have the PS2 chip in the console to emulate the old architecture apparently added somewhere in the neighborhood of $75-$100 extra to the manufacture cost of the PS3.

One would have to think that something similar would be needed for the new Xbox and the backwards compatibility for the 360 as it's highly unlikely that the games are going to be programmed the same with the new architecture to power the system.


As for not having access to old arcade games, I'm not sure why anyone expected anything differently. Once again, those games were programmed with specific architecture in mind and there would need to be some type of code changed for the ability to have them available on the new console. I fully expect Microsoft to not allow it as well.

[GatorfanStovy]

Good point ^^. I don't get why people are thinking backwards is gonna happen now. Just gonna have to keep your ps3 or 360 to play the old games is all. And just hope they don't give out if it that happens go buy another should be cheaper in a few years . I know I will be those two systems for a long time just in case of old game playing. I just hope that we will be able to play online.

[I OU a Beatn]

I don't know if they will or not. I'd have to assume they're going to use a similar architecture as what they used with the 360, so that leaves the possibility open. I pretty well knew Sony wasn't going to do it because they used the cell on PS3 and it was pretty much common knowledge the architecture was going to be MUCH different with the PS4 to make it easier to develop for.

[morsdraconis]

I don't know if they will or not. I'd have to assume they're going to use a similar architecture as what they used with the 360, so that leaves the possibility open. I pretty well knew Sony wasn't going to do it because they used the cell on PS3 and it was pretty much common knowledge the architecture was going to be MUCH different with the PS4 to make it easier to develop for.

When I say architecture being different, it's something as simple as making the game work properly with the processor and graphics card they have in the system. All the tweaks that the programmers used to make it run at 60 fps most likely won't work on the new Xbox console. Hell, the new Xbox will probably be using Directx 11, meaning quite a bit of the programming workarounds won't work anymore, thus, EVERY game that was previously available in XBLA would need to be updated by the developer and then a patch added, at the minimum. That's a LOT of money for most companies that have moved on from the game that they created.

Believe me man, if Microsoft is able to pull it off where they're able to allow access to the 360 XBLA content without requiring some type of streaming service to emulate the architecture of the 360, it will mean one of two things: either they spent a boat load of money in R&D getting the processor and graphics card to work the same as the processor and graphics card from the 360 (HIGHLY unlikely) or they include the previous architecture (ala PS3 and the previous cell processor for the PS1 and PS2) which means that the price of the console most likely increases (ala the PS3).

[CLW]

Apparently the guy that leaked the 720 dev kit/specs had his home raided by the police after complaints from MS:

http://www.itproportal.com/2013/02/22/xbox-720-spec-leaker-has-home-raided-by-fbi-oz-police/

[JBHuskers]

Daaaaaaamn.

[JBHuskers]

VGChartz is reporting that the next gen of XBOX will be revealed in April.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/0XrSENzs9sc

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/K8jgA4MCUr4

[JBHuskers]

Will the new XBOX be called XBOX Gold? (http://www.nowgamer.com/news/1823247/will_xbox_720_be_called_xbox_gold.html)

[I OU a Beatn]

No. That would be the dumbest console name in recent memory.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/KrKJfHEQv5k

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/wZpSU0-w0vI

[JBHuskers]

According to VGChartz, the magic date will be April 26th.

[CLW]

No used games for you 720 owners:


http://youtu.be/qE70oUMy0do

[SmoothPancakes]

Meh. I never buy used games anyways. Most of the games I buy and play, they've all gone to that whole code thing to unlock multiplayer and other stuff. I just buy new and avoid all that crap. If it's not a game that I must have on release day, I'll wait a couple months until the price goes down, and buy it then. Just like I bought Battlefield 3 Premium Edition brand new for pretty cheap last week, a game I was interested in from day one, but didn't need/want it bad enough at the time to shell out full price for it. So that gives me a chance to spend some nights playing that now when other games don't sound interesting.

Honestly, the whole used games crap is overrated to begin with. There pretty much are no used games when it comes to PC, so for those of us who play PC games, we're the ones who view this who used games shit logically and realistically.

[psuexv]

From OS - http://www.operationsports.com/news/607846/xbox-720-to-feature-ea-exclusives/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter


For the curious and sleuthing mind, there was certainly a lot of intrigue as to who was missing from the PlayStation 4 launch event last week in New York City. Where, exactly was Electronic Arts?

Today it appears a bit more is being answered on that question, as it appears EA and Microsoft are cozying up with each other in the form of an exclusive arrangement. The announcement of any such deal would be held at the XBox 720 reveal event, which looks to potentially take place on April 26.

EA is certainly a heavyweight third party publisher, so it's possible the arrangement could be a first-dibs type of deal, where games from EA come to the Xbox 720 first before releasing on other consoles later. Such a deal could also mean exclusive DLC to the XBox platform or perhaps an exclusive title or two.

How a rumored EA/Microsoft partnership affects the sports titles is relatively unknown. As we saw with MLB this year, sports leagues want a presence on all of the major platforms. It's doubtful, for instance, that the NFL would allow EA to only release Madden on the XBox 720 for a few months before it appeared on the PS4. Most likely, the deal will be a limited exclusivity deal with some titles but not all. It remains unlikely EA Sports will find itself only publishing on Microsoft's console in the future.

EA's CFO Blake Jorgenson had this to say about the PlayStation 4 a few days ago, "At the end of the day we are very excited about Sony's platform. We feel there's a huge opportunity there. The technical power on the platform is going to allow us to do a substantial amount of things that have never been done before."

What do you all think of EA and Microsoft cozying up to one another? Do you think this affects the sports titles in any way?

I can not imagine this would happen, especially sports titles.

[oweb26]

If it does happen bravo microsoft, bravo!!!

Sports titles will not be exclusive but WOW EA has a crap ton of publishers and titles released under there brand.

[JBHuskers]

I'm guessing it's just some kind of DLC agreement on Battlefield. Or if Respawn Entertainment is only going to go 360 only like Bungie did with Halo.

[I OU a Beatn]

It'll be exclusive timed DLC for either Battlefield 4 or Respawn Entertainment's new game. In other words, "yawn."

[CLW]

Yeah I imagine it is much to do about nothing (just like Watch Dogs on Sony's event). Funny thing is I'm not even sure EA going exclusive everything on the 720 would force me to leave Sony. I imagine the NFL would want a Sony game so perhaps the Show people could make an even better football game than EA does; etc...

[CLW]

EA to charge more for games on 720:


http://youtu.be/6We4QXuyM1Y

Thankfully I won't have to worry about it since EA games are 720 exclusives. :nod:

[bdoughty]

Yeah if EA prices games at $69.99 next gen you can darn well be Activision will follow suit. Activision was the one who pushed for $59.99 game at the beginning of the current gen.

Nothing has been set, the guy even said they have not set pricing yet. Your headlines make Fox News almost seem fair and balanced in comparison. How about watching the videos you post first.

[morsdraconis]

And that's when I stop buying games at full price and NEVER touch a console again. $60 is already bad enough. $70 is fuckin' ludicrous.

[baseballplyrmvp]

And that's when I stop buying games at full price and NEVER touch a console again. $60 is already bad enough. $70 is fuckin' ludicrous.

wont matter much to me. ncaa will be one of, maybe, 2 games that i'll buy all year.

[I OU a Beatn]

And that's when I stop buying games at full price and NEVER touch a console again. $60 is already bad enough. $70 is fuckin' ludicrous.

Agreed. I will NEVER pay that much for a game. I'll just wait until it drops below $40 like I do now.

[steelerfan]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if games were more expensive on next gen. Personally, it's not a big deal since I only play a few as it is. That said, if digital media caused a price drop, I may buy a few more.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

[bdoughty]

Agreed. I will NEVER pay that much for a game. I'll just wait until it drops below $40 like I do now.

That is why Amazon rocks. Just wait a month or so and it will show up for $39.99. Got Far Cry 3 for that price just a month after it was released. While I am eager to play Tomb Raider I am going to watch my wishlist and wait for the drop.

[NatureBoy]

Meh. I never buy used games anyways. Most of the games I buy and play, they've all gone to that whole code thing to unlock multiplayer and other stuff. I just buy new and avoid all that crap. If it's not a game that I must have on release day, I'll wait a couple months until the price goes down, and buy it then. Just like I bought Battlefield 3 Premium Edition brand new for pretty cheap last week, a game I was interested in from day one, but didn't need/want it bad enough at the time to shell out full price for it. So that gives me a chance to spend some nights playing that now when other games don't sound interesting.

Honestly, the whole used games crap is overrated to begin with. There pretty much are no used games when it comes to PC, so for those of us who play PC games, we're the ones who view this who used games shit logically and realistically.

I don't buy used games but I do trade in my old games at Gamestop for store credit. I guess that will be out the window. If games hit the 70 dollar mark, I won't be buying many games anyway. The ten dollar price increase plus being nickeled and dimed to death with DLC will cause a lot of gamers, including myself, to think twice about picking up a new gen system in the first place.

[JBHuskers]

I don't buy used games but I do trade in my old games at Gamestop for store credit. I guess that will be out the window. If games hit the 70 dollar mark, I won't be buying many games anyway. The ten dollar price increase plus being nickeled and dimed to death with DLC will cause a lot of gamers, including myself, to think twice about picking up a new gen system in the first place.

Well Sony has at least confirmed that games won't be higher than $60. I highly doubt XBOX would go out on their own and make their games more expensive and force you to pay for XBOX Live on top of it.

[CLW]

Well Sony has at least confirmed that games won't be higher than $60. I highly doubt XBOX would go out on their own and make their games more expensive and force you to pay for XBOX Live on top of it.

I'm not so sure the rumors also appear that 720 is going to "ban" used games while Sony has left them wiggle room. Perhaps it is shaping up to be a war where only one will survive. Sony going with the "consumer friendly" approach. MS going with the "Save the Publishers" approach?

[bdoughty]

http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/26/4033184/next-gen-software-prices-still-undecided-ea-cfo-says

Update: A representative from EA characterized Jorgensen's comments as a hypothetical discussion of pricing patterns at the beginning of a console cycle, and said that he meant to use software price examples of $59 and $49.

[CLW]

http://youtu.be/SN5I3ZAu4MQ